Word
brutality
Phoneticsbru·tal·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/bɹuˈtæɫəti/
UK/bɹuːtˈælɪti/
Definitions
01cruel behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being very cruel, violent, or heartless.
n. the abstract quality of being savage, ruthless, or lacking in humanity.
“The documentary showed the brutality of life in the war zone.”
“The sheer brutality of the regime's crackdown on dissent shocked international observers and led to immediate sanctions.”
Antonyms
02a violent act
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific act of violence or cruelty.
n. a particular instance or manifestation of savage or cruel behavior; often used in the plural.
“The police were accused of several brutalities during the protest.”
“The report detailed the various brutalities committed by the occupying forces against the local civilian population.”
03excessive force
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law
n. the use of too much physical force, especially by people in power like the police.
n. the application of excessive or illegal physical force, typically by law enforcement or military personnel.
“The city saw many protests against police brutality last summer.”
“The civil rights lawyer argued that the body-camera footage provided undeniable evidence of police brutality during the arrest.”
Usage
often appears in the fixed phrase 'police brutality'
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The United Nations and international rights groups have condemned state forces for the “brutality” shown during the crackdown on protesters.” “The former police officer, whose crime reignited the debate about US police brutality, was undergoing treatment for cancer.” Etymology
From brutal + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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