brutality

noun

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

Synonyms of brutality

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Examples of brutality in a Sentence

the brutalities of a prison the police were accused of brutality for using excessive force in making arrests
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But it’s lost on these boys, whose youth has been ground away by the drug trade’s meaningless brutality. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 There is a weird intimacy to hand-to-hand combat and the brutality of it. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Why won’t the State Police or the governor’s office come out and condemn this level of brutality? — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026 Crump is a civil rights attorney best known for representing the families of Black people who are victims of gun violence and police brutality. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for brutality

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of brutality was in 1550

Rhymes for brutality

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Browse Nearby Words

brutalitarian
brutality
brutalization
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Cite this Entry

“Brutality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutality. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of brutality for Spanish Speakers

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