Atrocity

An Atrocity is a deeply shocking and morally repugnant act of extreme cruelty or violence, often perpetrated against innocent civilians or defenseless individuals. It signifies a severe violation of human rights and principles of decency, frequently involving deliberate infliction of suffering, inhumane treatment, and widespread devastation. These acts typically involve widespread violence, and abuse with little regard for human life or dignity. It is often associated with wartime contexts, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other forms of systematic oppression, leaving behind lasting trauma and calls for justice. The core essence of an Atrocity lies in its profound inhumanity, the severity of its impact, and its intentional infliction of harm.

Atrocity meaning with examples

• The news reported the recent discovery of a mass grave, revealing an Atrocity committed during the conflict. The sheer scale of the killing and the indiscriminate nature of the victims, women and children included, painted a grim picture, prompting international condemnation and demands for accountability and justice. This prompted an investigation to identify and punish the perpetrators.
• During the war, the soldiers' behaviour went from bad to worse, they committed an Atrocity that shocked the world. The targeting of civilian populations, including the deliberate destruction of hospitals and schools and the killing of doctors and teachers, demonstrated a blatant disregard for international law and humanitarian principles. This was a blatant war crime.
• The survivors of the concentration camp described in their stories of survival a gruesome Atrocity, the inhuman conditions and brutal treatment inflicted by the guards. The starvation, forced labour, and systematic extermination of inmates demonstrated a depth of depravity that would define the regime, leading to worldwide outrage and condemnation. The sheer cruelty of the act was unimaginable.
• The public outcry over the regime's atrocities forced governments to act. The mass executions and summary killings of political opponents and ethnic minorities constituted a clear Atrocity and were investigated, leading to sanctions and international pressure. The events were described as a calculated and systematic campaign of terror, designed to silence dissent.
• The journalist, documenting the effects of the genocide, chronicled the atrocities of the war. The widespread rape, torture, and murder of civilians painted a horrifying picture of human suffering. These accounts served as a crucial record for posterity, ensuring that these terrible events are remembered and that justice will eventually be served.