atrocity
noun
atroc·i·ty
ə-ˈträ-sə-tē 
plural atrocities
1
: a shockingly bad or atrocious act, object, or situation
the atrocities of war
2
: the quality or state of being atrocious
… the paralysing atrocity of the thought which occupied her.—
Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradExamples of atrocity in a Sentence
Atrocities were committed by forces on both sides of the conflict.
Who could be capable of such atrocity?
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of these songs have unfortunately become more relevant today, with the atrocities committed against innocent civilians in conflicts around the world, to the extrajudicial killing of Americans at home.
—Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
But this out-of-time music comes to us when the natural world is deteriorating and the ever-present internet is a tool of mass surveillance and a lens to witness multiple global atrocities at once.
—Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
The satellites are used to detect helicopter and tank movement and warn people on the ground to prevent atrocities.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
But this out-of-time music comes to us when the natural world is deteriorating and the ever-present internet is a tool of mass surveillance and a lens to witness multiple global atrocities at once.
—Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
The satellites are used to detect helicopter and tank movement and warn people on the ground to prevent atrocities.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrocity. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
atrocity
noun
atroc·i·ty
ə-ˈträs-ət-ē
plural atrocities
1
: the quality or state of being atrocious
2
: something that is atrocious
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
