atrocity

[ uh-tros-i-tee ]

noun

, plural a·troc·i·ties.

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

"He had seen evidence of maltreatment and atrocities before we went up into the rubber plantations, but I think what he saw there shifted his whole view of the colonial experience," Patrick said.

From BBC

Six innocent men, known as the Birmingham Six, served more than 16 years in prison for the atrocity, but the real perpetrators were never brought to justice.

From BBC

The court, in the Dutch city of The Hague, was established in 2002 to hold rogue leaders responsible for atrocities to account.

From BBC

Last week, a United Nations special committee found that Israel has committed atrocities consistent with the characteristics of genocide.

From Salon

Israelis are appalled that, in their eyes, the world seems to have already forgotten or overlooked the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October last year.

From BBC

Related Words

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