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

Ukrainians React: Trump’s claim that Ukraine was responsible for its war with Russia has left many Ukrainians disillusioned, including residents of Bucha, a Kyiv suburb that has become a symbol of Russian brutality. —Chris Buckley, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025

The biggest plutocrats of the first Gilded Age, for all their brutalities, played an essentially stabilizing role from behind the scenes—the Cardinal Richelieu role, the wise banker in the background. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

The brutality of Russia’s attack soon became clear. —ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025

If officers don’t activate the cameras, investigators have to rely on witnesses or, in the worst cases, officers’ word against those alleging police brutality and the like. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 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

Rhymes for brutality

• banality
• bestiality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality
• lethality

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