brutality

noun

bru·​tal·​i·​ty brü-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce brutality (audio)
plural brutalities
1
: the quality or state of being brutal
2
: a brutal act or course of action

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 The demonstrations were met with brutality, with hundreds killed by security forces and thousands detained. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Sherald’s work is in direct resistance to Black lives being visually documented as a monolith through the trope of struggle or brutality. Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Ruthless, entrepreneurial cartel perfects the timeshare scheme The Jalisco cartel is known for its brutality, with regular headlines across Mexico documenting beheadings, torture and deadly gun battles against Mexican military forces. Steve Fisher, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Prabowo’s opponents argue that his record of military brutality and antidemocratic election denialism has merely been obscured by a smart campaign and that power would be dangerous in his hands. Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024 The brutality was immediately apparent, with her head split open by the force of the blows. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 Mulligan plays Maud, a factory worker who is radicalized after facing gendered brutality from her husband, boss, and the state. Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 The killing of George Floyd was different from previous instances of police brutality because of social media. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In 2005, amid persistent neglect, joblessness and police brutality, riots broke out in Seine-Saint-Denis. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brutality was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near brutality

Cite this Entry

“Brutality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutality. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

brutality

noun
bru·​tal·​i·​ty brü-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce brutality (audio)
plural brutalities
1
: the quality or state of being brutal
2
: a brutal act or course of action

More from Merriam-Webster on brutality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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