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
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
Then came the murder of George Floyd and the ubiquitous protests against police brutality.
—
USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
Last year, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon confronted the ghosts of American brutality, from the decision to drop a nuclear weapon to the genocide of indigenous communities.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brutality 
USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024
Last year, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon confronted the ghosts of American brutality, from the decision to drop a nuclear weapon to the genocide of indigenous communities.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brutality
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brutality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brutality
Cite this Entry
“Brutality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutality. Accessed 5 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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