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atrocity

cruel act / barbarity / abomination / eyesore
Noun
pl: atrocities

This term carries a heavy emotional weight, evoking horror and moral outrage. In its primary sense, it describes acts of extreme violence or cruelty that violate basic human rights, often appearing in legal or historical contexts regarding war crimes and genocide. In a secondary, more casual sense, the word is used hyperbolically to describe something aesthetically offensive. When applied to interior design or fashion, it shifts from a moral judgment to a critique of taste, though it retains the core idea of something being shockingly wrong.

Meanings

Noun

An extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury.

"The soldiers were accused of committing a terrible atrocity during the war."

Noun

An act of extreme cruelty or wickedness, often used in the plural to describe systemic violence.

"The report detailed the various atrocities committed against civilians in the region."

Noun

Something that is exceptionally ugly, tasteless, or poorly executed.

"That neon green wallpaper is a complete atrocity."

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Last Updated: June 13, 2026Report an Error