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atrocité

atrocity

noun a-tro-see-TEH Rare
People & Society Military

Origin: Latin atrocitas, from atrox (cruel, terrible)

Usage Note

Atrocité describes an act of extreme cruelty or a deeply shocking thing. The plural atrocités often refers to war crimes or mass violence. The adjective atroce (atrocious) is common in both literal and hyperbolic registers — une douleur atroce (excruciating pain).

Examples

"Les atrocités de la guerre ont choqué le monde."

Natural Translation

The atrocities of the war shocked the world.

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