Word
atrocity
An atrocity is an extremely wicked, cruel, or brutal act.
Meanings
An extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury.
The quality of being extremely wicked or cruel.
Definition
An atrocity refers to an act of extreme wickedness, cruelty, or brutality, often involving violence and causing great suffering. It is typically used to describe heinous actions committed against people, particularly during times of conflict or by oppressive regimes. The term emphasizes the shocking and deeply immoral nature of the act.
Examples
- The human rights organization documented numerous atrocities committed during the civil war.
- Witnesses described the unspeakable atrocities they had endured under the dictator's rule.
- The museum's exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the atrocities that occurred in that historical period.
- Many struggle to comprehend the sheer atrocity of such deliberate acts of violence.
- Such a blatant disregard for human life represents an absolute atrocity.
Common mistake
A common mistake is using 'atrocity' (the noun) when the adjective 'atrocious' is needed to describe something as dreadful or awful.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More nouns
- fascism Fascism is an extreme right-wing political system with a powerful dictator, strong nationalism, and…
- gaslighting Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that makes someone doubt their own memory, judg…
- narcissist A narcissist is someone who is excessively self-centered and craves admiration while showing little…
- empathy Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.
- metaphor A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else to create a clear image …