noun
atrocity
uh-TRO-sih-tee
Atrocity (noun) means an extremely cruel or brutal act, especially against people. Example: “The war crimes tribunal documented atrocities committed against civilians.”
noun
1
An extremely cruel or brutal act, especially against people.
"to carry out / commit / perpetrate an atrocity"
"The regime is guilty of mass atrocities including forced displacement and the use of chemical weapons."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- atrocities
Etymology
From Latin atrocitas, from atrox ("cruel, terrible").
Synonyms
View more →
barbarity
inhumanity
atrociousness
barbarousness
heinousness
depravity
infamy
iniquity
outrage
turpitude
wickedness
wrong
Related words
Rhymes for atrocity
See all rhymes for 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").
