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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishExtreme, often violent cruelty.
Common pairings
police brutality
sheer brutality
acts of brutality
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Word forms
- Plural
- brutalities
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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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for brutality
See all rhymes for brutality →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.
What is the difference between brutality and violence?
Brutality specifically implies savage, excessive cruelty, while violence is a broader term for any physical force, which may or may not be excessive. Brutality suggests a harsher, more deliberate degree of force than violence alone.
What is the difference between brutality and cruelty?
Cruelty is the general quality of causing pain or suffering deliberately, while brutality specifically emphasizes savage, violent force. Brutality is often the more physical, forceful expression of cruelty.
