Brutality Meaning
/ˌbɹuːˈtælɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe state of being brutal.
nounA cruel or savage act.
Sentence Examples
The police brutality incidents nearly set off a riot.
Police brutality has been a problem for a long time.
The human rights group condemned the police brutality during the protest.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The documentary exposed the shocking ____ of the prison guards towards inmates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many people protested against the ____ of the ancient regime in city.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English brutal Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English brutality From brutal + -ity.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"‘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?"
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 18, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The documentary exposed the shocking ____ of the prison guards towards inmates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many people protested against the ____ of the ancient regime in city.