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
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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
Partially influenced by a mutual mentor, David Alfaro Siqueiros, the mural is a critique of fascism and war, depicting historical atrocities carried out by European regimesa and Ku Klux Klan members.
—
Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Too many people denounce the atrocities of one side while making excuses for those on the other.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
And as the memories of the atrocity fade, the world is witnessing a resurgence of antisemitism, along with other xenophobia, and distortions of history.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Hamas has embedded itself deeply into Gazan society, and its atrocities are carried out with civilian complicity and civilian assistance.
—Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atrocity 
Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Too many people denounce the atrocities of one side while making excuses for those on the other.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
And as the memories of the atrocity fade, the world is witnessing a resurgence of antisemitism, along with other xenophobia, and distortions of history.
—Natalia Romik / Madę By History, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Hamas has embedded itself deeply into Gazan society, and its atrocities are carried out with civilian complicity and civilian assistance.
—Todd L. Pittinsky, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
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Fans of legendary filmmaker George Romero are pushing to preserve a piece of horror film history – a suburban mall with an uncertain future.—
Chrissy Suttles,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
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Another 20th title, the Sam Raimi horror movie Send Help starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, will open on January 30, 2026.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kyle Vigneault, 27, faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, risk of injury to a child and cruelty to persons, according to the Norwalk Police Department.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2025
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Instead, her countenance is ambiguous — stern, perhaps capable of cruelty, but not without a hint of kindness, as viewers have told him.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Spanning from the 2014 Maidan Revolution to spring 2024, their story blends the glamour of drag with the brutality of war.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
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The President has had a complicated history with the NFL, after criticizing players who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice during his first administration.—
Simmone Shah,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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