atrocity
An extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury, often occurring during wartime or civil unrest. It can also refer to something that is of very poor quality or highly unpleasant in an aesthetic sense.
Examples
3 of 5The new building's design is an architectural atrocity that ruins the skyline.
The new building's design is an architectural disaster that ruins the skyline.
The international tribunal was established to prosecute those responsible for the wartime atrocity.
The international court was established to prosecute those responsible for the wartime cruel act.
The service at that restaurant was a complete atrocity.
The service at that restaurant was completely terrible.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'a-tragedy'. An atrocity is an act so cruel that it becomes a tragedy for everyone involved.
Quick Quiz
The international community was shocked by the ______ committed during the conflict.
Correct!
The correct answer is: atrocity
Examples
The new building's design is an architectural atrocity that ruins the skyline.
everydayThe new building's design is an architectural disaster that ruins the skyline.
The international tribunal was established to prosecute those responsible for the wartime atrocity.
formalThe international court was established to prosecute those responsible for the wartime cruel act.
The service at that restaurant was a complete atrocity.
informalThe service at that restaurant was completely terrible.
Scholars argue that the systematic atrocity was a deliberate tool of psychological warfare.
academicExperts argue that the organized cruelty was a deliberate tool of psychological warfare.
The company's decision to cut all benefits was seen by the union as a corporate atrocity.
businessThe union viewed the company's decision to remove benefits as a corporate outrage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a fashion atrocity
extremely bad clothing choice
an absolute atrocity
something completely terrible
crimes and atrocities
legal or military term for severe violations
Often Confused With
Audacity means boldness or nerve (often in a rude way), while atrocity means extreme cruelty or a wicked act.
Usage Notes
While primarily used for physical acts of violence in war or conflict, it is frequently used hyperbolically in modern English to describe something very ugly or of poor quality.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use it to describe a small mistake; save it for things that are truly shocking or extremely bad.
Memory Tip
Think of 'a-tragedy'. An atrocity is an act so cruel that it becomes a tragedy for everyone involved.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'atrox', meaning fierce, cruel, or hideous.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Frequently used in the context of international criminal law and human rights reports regarding war crimes.
Quick Quiz
The international community was shocked by the ______ committed during the conflict.
Correct!
The correct answer is: atrocity
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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