atrocity

[uh-tros-i-tee]

noun

plural

atrocities 

1. the quality or state of being atrocious.

2. an atrocious act, thing, or circumstance.

atrocity

/ əˈtrɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. behaviour or an action that is wicked or ruthless

2. the fact or quality of being atrocious

3. (usually plural) acts of extreme cruelty, esp against prisoners or civilians in wartime

Word History and Origins

Origin of atrocity¹

1525–35; < Latin atrōcitās, equivalent to atrōci- (stem of atrōx ) fierce + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

The anticlericalism of the left, with its burning of churches and slaughter of priests, resulted in some of the worst atrocities of the war.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said atrocities in Darfur have been met with indifference and "complete impunity", in an interview with AFP after a visit to the devastated Sudan region.

Read more on Barron's

Waltz thanked the rapper for "leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria".

Read more on BBC

"Especially what happened in El-Fasher in the last two or three weeks. We've all seen those videos. We've seen those reports. Those atrocities are absolutely unacceptable. This must stop very quickly."

Read more on Barron's

Violence has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, with the RSF seizing control of the key town of El-Fasher -- the army's last stronghold in Darfur -- after an 18-month siege and reports of atrocities multiplying.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• barbarity 
• brutality 
• crime 
• evil 
• horror 
• inhumanity