atrocity
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atrocity
An extremely cruel, inhuman, and abhorrent act, especially in the context of war or serious crimes.
Die Überlebenden berichteten von den schrecklichen Gräueltaten der Soldaten.
The survivors reported the soldiers' terrible atrocities.
The word is made up of 'der Gräuel' (horror, revulsion) and 'die Tat' (act). So a 'Gräueltat' (atrocity) is literally a 'horror act' or 'abhorrent act'.
Die Taten des Regimes waren von unvorstellbarem Gräuel.
The acts of the regime were marked by unimaginable horror.
'Gräueltat' (atrocity) is a very strong and formal word. It is used only for extremely cruel and inhuman crimes, usually in the context of war, genocide, or terrorism.
Der Internationale Gerichtshof untersucht die Gräueltaten des Bürgerkriegs.
The International Court of Justice is investigating the atrocities of the civil war.
In connection with 'Gräueltat' (atrocity), the formal verbs 'begehen' (to commit) or 'verüben' (to perpetrate) are often used. You can also say 'von Gräueltaten berichten' (to report atrocities) or 'Gräueltaten aufklären' (to investigate/clarify atrocities).
Es ist wichtig, die während des Krieges begangenen Gräueltaten nicht zu vergessen.
It is important not to forget the atrocities committed during the war.
massacre
Massaker and Gräueltat can refer to the same killing of many defenseless people. Massaker focuses on the specific mass killing, while Gräueltat more strongly evaluates the act’s extreme inhumanity and abhorrent nature. Use Massaker for the event itself and Gräueltat for its moral condemnation.
Die Zeitung verurteilt die Gräueltat an den schutzlosen Dorfbewohnern.
The newspaper condemns the atrocity committed against the defenseless villagers.
Die Zeitung berichtet über das Massaker an den schutzlosen Dorfbewohnern.
The newspaper reports on the massacre of the defenseless villagers.
