Brutality
/bruːˈtælɪti/
nounIntermediate📊CommonAction
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
The quality or state of being brutal; extreme cruelty or violence.
/bruːˈtælɪti/
nounnegativeIntermediate
Action
Extreme cruelty or violence
The brutality of the dictator's regime was evident in the widespread suffering.
💡 Simply: Being very cruel and violent.
More Examples
2
The police report detailed the shocking brutality of the attack.
How It's Used
Criminal Justice
"The brutality of the crime shocked the nation."
War Reporting
"The report detailed the brutality of the conflict."
From Middle French brutalité, from brutal.
The word has maintained its negative connotation throughout history, often used to describe acts of violence and oppression.
Memory tip
Think of a brute being extremely cruel.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"brutish, savage"
extreme brutalityshocking brutalityunnecessary brutality
Common misspellings
brutalitysbrutaility
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written