Atrocities: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to extremely wicked or cruel acts, often involving violence or serious harm. Commonly used in the context of wars or crimes against humanity.

• The international community condemned the atrocities committed during the conflict.
• Witnesses reported numerous atrocities against civilians.

Describes the quality of being extremely wicked or cruel. Often used in a more general sense to describe the severity or brutality of an act.

• The atrociousness of the dictator's actions shocked the world.
• The atrociousness of the crime left people in outrage.

Refers to the absence of human qualities such as compassion, empathy, and kindness. Often used to describe systemic or pervasive cruelty.

• The inhumanity of the slave trade is well-documented.
• People were horrified by the inhumanity shown during the political purges.

Describes acts of extreme violence that are wild, brutal, and uncontrolled. Often used to highlight the barbarity or primitiveness of certain actions.

• The village was terrorized by savage acts of brutality.
• She documented the savage acts committed by the invaders.