atrocidad

atrocity

noun ah-troh-see-DAHD Rare

Origin: From Latin atrocitas (cruelty, severity), from atrox (fierce, cruel).

Also means

outrage

Usage Note

Atrocidad refers to an act of extreme cruelty or horror, most often in historical, military, or human-rights contexts. In informal speech it can be used hyperbolically for something very bad or ugly: ¡Qué atrocidad! (How awful! / What a terrible thing!). The plural atrocidades is common in accounts of war or persecution.

Examples

"Las atrocidades de la guerra nunca deben olvidarse."

Natural Translation

The atrocities of war must never be forgotten.

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