C1noun formal 10K+

Atrocity

🇬🇧 UK /["/əˈtrɒsəti/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/əˈtrɑːsəti/"]/

Meaning of Atrocity

a cruel and violent act, especially in a war

In simple words: A very bad or cruel act.

Atrocity in a sentence

• In the war, both sides committed atrocities.
• atrocities against the civilian population
• one of the worst atrocities of the war
• reports of atrocities by gunmen

How to use Atrocity

Use 'atrocity' to describe an extreme act, often related to war or crime. It is generally used in serious or formal contexts and may not be appropriate for casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Atrocity sounds like 'a-trophy-city'—imagine a city where terrible things happen instead of winning trophies.

Related words

Collocations with Atrocity

• appalling
• terrible
• worst
• be responsible for
• carry out
• commit
• occur
• take place
• stories
• atrocity against
• atrocity by
• accounts of atrocities
• allegations of atrocities
• reports of atrocities

Synonyms for Atrocity

• crime
• abomination
• horror
• outrage
• wickedness

Opposites of Atrocity

• mercy
• kindness
• compassion

Common mistakes with Atrocity

• Confusing it with 'atrocious', which describes something very bad but is an adjective.
• Using it in non-serious contexts, which diminishes its impact.
• Mispronouncing it, particularly the second syllable.

Frequently asked questions about Atrocity

What does Atrocity mean?

A very bad or cruel act.

What is the definition of Atrocity?

a cruel and violent act, especially in a war

How do you use Atrocity in a sentence?

In the war, both sides committed atrocities.

Can you give another example of Atrocity?

atrocities against the civilian population

What are synonyms for Atrocity?

Common alternatives include crime, abomination, horror, outrage, wickedness.

What is the opposite of Atrocity?

Opposite meanings include mercy, kindness, compassion.

What words go with Atrocity?

It commonly pairs with appalling, terrible, worst, be responsible for, carry out, commit, occur, take place, stories, atrocity against, atrocity by, accounts of atrocities, allegations of atrocities, reports of atrocities.

What are common mistakes when using Atrocity?

Confusing it with 'atrocious', which describes something very bad but is an adjective. Using it in non-serious contexts, which diminishes its impact. Mispronouncing it, particularly the second syllable.

How do you pronounce Atrocity?

US: /["/əˈtrɑːsəti/"]/, UK: /["/əˈtrɒsəti/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

Is Atrocity formal or informal?

"Atrocity" is formal, so it fits professional, business, or academic conversations.

When should I use Atrocity?

Use 'atrocity' to describe an extreme act, often related to war or crime. It is generally used in serious or formal contexts and may not be appropriate for casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Atrocity?

"Atrocity" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.