atrocity
12 synonyms for atrocity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An extremely cruel or brutal act, especially against people.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
barbarity
inhumanity
atrociousness
depravity
infamy
iniquity
turpitude
wickedness
barbarousness
heinousness
How to use atrocity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
commit an atrocity
war atrocities
atrocities against civilians
Etymology
From Latin atrocitas, from atrox ("cruel, terrible").
Full origin of atrocity →Frequently asked questions
What does “atrocity” mean?
The word “atrocity” means an extremely cruel or brutal act, especially against people. In plain terms, a shockingly cruel act, usually one involving violence against people.
How do you pronounce “atrocity”?
“Atrocity” is pronounced uh-TRO-sih-tee (/əˈtɹɑsɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “atrocity” in a sentence?
Here is “atrocity” used in a sentence: “The war crimes tribunal documented atrocities committed against civilians.”
What is another word for “atrocity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “atrocity” include depravity, infamy, iniquity, outrage, turpitude and wickedness.
What part of speech is “atrocity”?
“Atrocity” is a noun.
Where does the word “atrocity” come from?
The word “atrocity” comes from Latin. From Latin atrocitas, from atrox ("cruel, terrible").
