Words / C1

uh-TROS-uh-tee/əˈtrɒsəti/

An atrocity is an extremely cruel and violent act, especially in war: wartime atrocities. Crime is everyday and far broader; massacre names a mass killing; horror is emotional. Atrocious as an adjective in casual British English often means merely very bad (atrocious weather) — that weakening does not apply to the noun atrocity. In speech, a horrific crime is clearer. Keep the noun for genuine barbarity; using it for a cancelled train is grotesque.

Meaning

An extremely cruel and violent act, especially in war.

Examples

• “The report described wartime atrocities.”
• “The report documented atrocities against civilians, not only damage to buildings.”
• “Survivors asked that the atrocities be named, not buried in statistics.”

Good to know

A shockingly cruel act, especially in war. Everyday: horrific crime. Casual atrocious (weather) is weaker — do not dilute the noun.

Near in meaning

outrage

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