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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atrocity
Immediately, people all over the world are uploading videos of their enemies committing atrocities, inflaming centuries-old animosities.
—
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
After thousands of terrorists invaded Israel and committed mass atrocities, Hamas continued to commandeer aid, creating and taking advantage of a black market.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
But Lapid, who also spent time in the Israeli military, does not let his government off the hook for the atrocities and military actions done in response to that violence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
If a regime can commit atrocities, wait patiently, and return unscathed, sanctions become meaningless.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
After thousands of terrorists invaded Israel and committed mass atrocities, Hamas continued to commandeer aid, creating and taking advantage of a black market.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
But Lapid, who also spent time in the Israeli military, does not let his government off the hook for the atrocities and military actions done in response to that violence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
If a regime can commit atrocities, wait patiently, and return unscathed, sanctions become meaningless.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
-
Phobias, a silent clown duo with a horror twist, brought eerie theatrics to the stage — complete with balloon popping and unsettling surprises — and successfully freaked out the judges (especially Howie Mandel).—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
4 June 2025
-
Within moments of his arrival, the church became the site of an unspeakable horror — the beheading of several people in the congregation.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
There will always be injustice, cruelty and abuses of power.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
13 June 2025
-
But by holding the threat of losing access to your grandchildren over you, your kids are showing an unnecessary amount of cruelty to people (you) who don’t deserve it.—
Eric Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
But the picture’s cartoonish brutality is cathartic.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
-
The speed, brutality, and clandestine manner in which these children were deported is beyond unconscionable, and every official responsible for it should be held accountable.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share