1
as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
the undeniable atrocity of the forced march of Cherokees known as the Trail of Tears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in badness
the state or quality of being utterly evil
was appalled by the atrocity of Stalin's mass executions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
wars often unleash a level of atrocity that would be unimaginable in peacetime
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrocity
Organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, the three-day event was meant to expose the public to the atrocities and war crimes committed by the United States during the Vietnam War.
—
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
But the reports that got out focused on the inefficiency of the military, and the atrocities that were done against Filipino soldiers and Filipino civilians by American soldiers.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Others have shared their thoughts on their social-media platforms, highlighting resources for people to help or donate — and sometimes calling out other celebrities for not publicly commenting on the atrocities.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
Then there's all the additional atrocities she's been exposed to this season, like the barbaric violence of the Legion.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
But the reports that got out focused on the inefficiency of the military, and the atrocities that were done against Filipino soldiers and Filipino civilians by American soldiers.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Others have shared their thoughts on their social-media platforms, highlighting resources for people to help or donate — and sometimes calling out other celebrities for not publicly commenting on the atrocities.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026
Then there's all the additional atrocities she's been exposed to this season, like the barbaric violence of the Legion.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
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Thompson’s death was greeted with horror and sympathy for the victim’s family but also with disturbingly widespread support for the assassin—fueled by outrage at insurers, whom many fault for blocking medical care.—
Chris Pope,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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There is a melding of genres, of thriller, of coming of age, of horror, of action.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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One has simply grown so accustomed to his cruelty that, in an episode with so many other people acting on their worst impulses, Stephen stands out for momentarily acting on a good one.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
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Gray faces 29 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of second-degree cruelty to children.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The sly blend of beauty and brutality is also apparent in the film’s sound design.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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The protagonist, Frannie’s, story begins in a plantation in Jamaica, the brutality of which is chillingly evoked, but by moving much of the novel’s action to London, Sara Collins helps show just how tightly interwoven Black Caribbean history is with the history of the UK.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There is no way to sugarcoat the awfulness of those months of anxiety.—
Kate Callen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Traditionally a dumping ground for films studios have no belief in, the first month of the year occasionally offers up films that stand out, whether due to memeability, genuine quality, or sheer rancid awfulness.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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