brutality

noun

bru·​tal·​i·​ty brü-ˈta-lə-tē 

plural brutalities

1

: the quality or state of being brutal

2

: a brutal act or course of action

Synonyms

• atrociousness
• atrocity
• barbarity
• barbarousness
• cruelness
• cruelty
• fiendishness
• heartlessness
• inhumanity
• inhumanness
• sadism
• savageness
• savagery
• truculence
• viciousness
• wantonness

Examples of brutality in a Sentence

the brutalities of a prison

the police were accused of brutality for using excessive force in making arrests

Recent Examples on the Web

Those factories were disproportionately African American, exacerbating the ever-present burden of segregation and police brutality. —Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

The series generally holds nothing back in terms of portraying the kind of visceral brutality that resulted from the violent campaign of manifest destiny and America’s founding. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025

The murders were shocking not only for their brutality but also for their randomness. —Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025

Florida’s prison system is rife with allegations of abuse and brutality and inadequate medical care, even for inmates without developmental disabilities or mental health issues. —Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin brūtālitāt-, brūtālitās, from brūtālis "brutish, bestial" + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at brutal

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

brutality

noun

bru·​tal·​i·​ty brü-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural brutalities

1

: the quality or state of being brutal

2

: a brutal act or course of action