noun Uncommon

brutality

broo-TA-lih-tee

Brutality (noun) means the quality of being savagely violent or cruel. Example: “The sheer brutality of the assault shocked the town.”

noun

The quality of being savagely violent or cruel.

"The sheer brutality of the assault shocked the town."

"Reports documented the brutality of the regime's crackdown."

An act of excessive, cruel force, especially by police or authorities.

"The footage showed clear evidence of police brutality."

"Campaigners are demanding an inquiry into the brutality shown in the video."

How to Use Brutality

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishExtreme, often violent cruelty.

Common pairings

police brutality sheer brutality acts of brutality

Word Forms

brutalities plural

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The sheer _____ of the assault shocked the town.

Etymology

Built from brutal plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, tracing back to the same Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid\") root.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for brutality

city pity deity unity entity equity nudity oddity enmity uppity vanity cavity

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “brutality” mean?

The word “brutality” means the quality of being savagely violent or cruel. In plain terms, extreme, often violent cruelty.

How do you pronounce “brutality”?

“Brutality” is pronounced broo-TA-lih-tee (/ˌbɹuːˈtælɪti/ in IPA).

How do you use “brutality” in a sentence?

Here is “brutality” used in a sentence: “The sheer brutality of the assault shocked the town.”

What part of speech is “brutality”?

“Brutality” is a noun.

Where does the word “brutality” come from?

The word “brutality” comes from Latin. Built from brutal plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, tracing back to the same Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid\") root.

Is “brutality” a common word?

“Brutality” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “brutality” have?

“Brutality” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being savagely violent or cruel.