The phrase "terrible atrocities" refers to extremely cruel, horrifying, and shocking acts that cause immense suffering and harm to people. Full definition
If this Christian civilization has been involved in all manner of «crimes, follies, and misfortunes,» including terrible atrocities against Jews, it has also nourished Jewish life, a fact that can be seen by comparing the intellectual and religious development of European Jews with that of Jews in the Muslim lands of North Africa and Arabia. (firstthings.com)
And Conference, when David Cameron and William Hague now have the nerve to go round saying that Parliament's refusal to be bounced into military action in Syria has «diminished» Britain, let us reply: no Labour government will ever stand aside when terrible atrocities are committed and international law is broken. (politics.co.uk)
Of course Assad's forces have unleashed waves of terror, but his jihadist opponents have also committed terrible atrocities. (theguardian.com)