brutality — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The state of being brutal.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Yes, said Stalin, Lenin did accuse me of brutality, and I am brutal where the revolution is concerned—but did Lenin ever say that my policy was wrong? To this the opposition had no answer.

2. A cruel or savage act.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   ‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police[…]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?

3. The use of excessive physical force, often in the form of violence.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   police brutality

   school brutality

Noun

1. the trait of extreme cruelty

   Synonyms

   ferociousnessviciousnesssavagery

   Broader terms

   crueltycruelnessharshness

2. a brutal barbarous savage act

   Synonyms

   barbaritybarbarismsavagery

   Broader terms

   atrocityinhumanity