atrocity

3 definitions • 3 examples

an extremely cruel, violent, or shocking act:

They are on trial for committing atrocities against the civilian population.

the fact of something being extremely cruel, violent, or shocking:

These people are guilty of acts of appalling atrocity (= cruelty).

an extremely cruel act, or the committing of such acts:

[ C ] The commission reports that atrocities were committed by all sides during the struggle.