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
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
He was also convicted in April of distributing steroids and altering records to try and cover it up, which carries twice as much potential prison time as plotting to commit police brutality.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
We’ve all been cast adrift in the cognitive dissonance between the visceral seriousness of the crime and the abject flippancy of the shooter, the brutality of the shooting and the memes reacting to Kirk’s bigoted views.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025
But Bob’s behavior, One Battle After Another argues, is also entirely justified because of the terrifying brutality of the world—a reality that crashes into Bob’s hazy reverie to create an electrifying, thoughtful blockbuster.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Floyd's death launched a global movement responding to racial injustice and police brutality.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutality
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
We’ve all been cast adrift in the cognitive dissonance between the visceral seriousness of the crime and the abject flippancy of the shooter, the brutality of the shooting and the memes reacting to Kirk’s bigoted views.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025
But Bob’s behavior, One Battle After Another argues, is also entirely justified because of the terrifying brutality of the world—a reality that crashes into Bob’s hazy reverie to create an electrifying, thoughtful blockbuster.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Floyd's death launched a global movement responding to racial injustice and police brutality.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutality
Cite this Entry
“Brutality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutality. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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