brutality

/bruˈtælɪɾi/

/bruˈtælɪti/

Other forms: brutalities

Brutality is extreme cruelty, deliberate violent meanness. Avoid being the giver or receiver of brutality if you wish to remain a happy human.

Brutality comes from brutal (savage, fierce), plus -ity which makes it a noun. It’s the state of being a brute. Many criminals — especially murderers, rapists, and abusers — are guilty of brutality. Police brutality is what happens when the cops use extreme unnecessary force. Brutality is a strong word — just slapping someone isn't quite brutality. Brutality is more like beating a person with a tire iron. Brutality is also the name of a death metal band from Florida.

Definitions of brutality

1. noun

   the trait of extreme cruelty
   synonyms: ferociousness, savagery, viciousness

   type of:

   cruelness, cruelty, harshness

   the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
2. noun

   a brutal barbarous savage act
   synonyms: barbarism, barbarity, savagery

   type of:

   atrocity, inhumanity

   an act of atrocious cruelty