noun
atrocity
uh-TRO-sih-tee
noun
1
An extremely cruel or brutal act, especially against people.
"The war crimes tribunal documented atrocities committed against civilians."
"Historians still study the atrocities of the era."
How to Use Atrocity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shockingly cruel act, usually one involving violence against people.
Common pairings
commit an atrocity
war atrocities
atrocities against civilians
Word Forms
atrocities plural
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Etymology
From Latin atrocitas, from atrox ("cruel, terrible").