brutality
UK: bruːˈtæləti | US: bruˈtæləti
n. savage physical violence or cruel behavior
n. harshness or extreme bluntness in speech or action
n. (rare) the quality of being unrefined or coarse
The word traces back to Latin brutus, which initially meant "heavy, dull" (as in inert matter) and later evolved to describe irrational beings (e.g., animals or senseless humans). By the 15th century, "brutal" entered English via French, emphasizing savagery. The suffix -ity systematized the term into an abstract noun, solidifying its modern meaning of systematic cruelty or violence.
The brutality of the crime shocked the community.
His speech was criticized for its verbal brutality.
The documentary exposed the brutality of the regime.
She condemned the brutality of the outdated law.
The novel explores the brutality of human nature under pressure.