brutality

From brutal + -ity.

• (weak vowel distinction)
  • (without t-flapping) IPA^(key): /ˌbɹuːˈtælɪti/, [ˌbɹʷʊu̯ˈtʰælɪtʰɪi̯]

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

  • (t-flapping) IPA^(key): /ˌbɹuːˈtælɪɾi/, [ˌbɹuːˈtælɪɾɪi̯]
• (weak vowel merger)
  • (without t-flapping) IPA^(key): /ˌbɹuːˈtæləti/, [ˌbɹʷʊu̯ˈtʰælətʰɪi̯]
  • (t-flapping) IPA^(key): /ˌbɹuːˈtæləɾi/, [ˌbɹuːˈtæləɾɪi̯]
• Rhymes: -ælɪti
• Hyphenation: bru‧tal‧i‧ty

brutality (countable and uncountable, plural brutalities)

1. The state of being brutal.
2. A cruel or savage act.
   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 18, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:

     ‘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?

3. The use of excessive physical force, often in the form of violence.

   police brutality

   school brutality