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 of brutality

• cruelty
• atrocity

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 debilitating rigors of chemotherapy – nausea, vomiting, weakness and dehydration – and the mental drain of combating the disease do not lend themselves to any sport, much less the brutality of football. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Prosecutors argue that Andres should be condemned to die due to the brutality of the killing — and a murder Andres previously committed. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025

But none of them came anywhere near the genocide of 2023–25 in terms of magnitude, severity and sheer brutality. —Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025

The show is not making a case for uniformity or brutality. —Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 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