brutality

Etymology

brutal + -ity.

noun

  1. The state of being brutal.
  2. A cruel or savage act.
    ‘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
  3. The use of excessive physical force, often in the form of violence.
    police brutality
    school brutality

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