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
Examples 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
In fact, Israel has been encouraged to commit atrocities by an American president and House leader who flaunt their Christianity but whose adherence to Christian teachings, such as Christ’s instruction in the Gospel of Matthew to protect little children, comes up short.
—
Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Both sides have committed atrocities, but the RSF’s offenses are believed to be far worse in both scale and nature.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025
His incendiary rhymes, which boldly call out the atrocities carried out by the country’s dictatorial regime, have resulted in multiple arrests and extended stretches in prison over the last five years, for a sum total of 753 days.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
Indeed, in recent years, this designation was made in the cases of the Daesh atrocities against Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities, the atrocities against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China, and the atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atrocity 
Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Both sides have committed atrocities, but the RSF’s offenses are believed to be far worse in both scale and nature.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025
His incendiary rhymes, which boldly call out the atrocities carried out by the country’s dictatorial regime, have resulted in multiple arrests and extended stretches in prison over the last five years, for a sum total of 753 days.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
Indeed, in recent years, this designation was made in the cases of the Daesh atrocities against Yazidis, Christians and other religious minorities, the atrocities against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China, and the atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for atrocity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrocity
Noun
-
As Frontline previously reported, some AfD leaders followers of the party have sought to downplay or deny the horrors of Nazi Germany.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2025
-
Overwhelmed by the horrors of war, Frankie experiences the bonds and betrayals of combat.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Saline County sheriff’s deputies, responding to an animal cruelty report entered the Fullen’s field after observing about 50 cattle, many with calves, with minimal grass to graze on, according to an affidavit.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony under New York State law and carries a sentence of up to two years if convicted.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The limited 6-part series was written by the same screenwriter who penned The Revenant, and the show very much follows that film’s style and overall sense of brutality and bleakness.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
-
And the plotting didn’t take place in strange, distant areas: Among those charged with acts of brutality or acting as conspirators in the insurrection were residents of Ormond Beach, Titusville, Kissimmee and other familiar, nearby cities.—
Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near atrocity
Cite this Entry
“Atrocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrocity. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share