Brutality: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to extreme and deliberate violence or cruelty, often used in the context of police or state actions, or in violent crime.

• The footage showed shocking police brutality during the protests
• The brutality of the attack left the community in shock

General term for actions causing suffering or pain, can be physical or emotional and is often applied to both humans and animals.

• The cruelty shown towards animals in that circus must be stopped
• Her cruelty left emotional scars that never healed

Implies primitive and uncontrolled violence mostly associated with wild, fierce, and brutal behavior. Often used to describe attacks or wars.

• The documentary showed the savagery of the animal world
• The savagery of the battle left the city in ruins

Refers to deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others. It's often used in psychological contexts or to describe particularly malevolent behavior.

• The torturer's sadism was evident in the joy he took from his victims' pain
• There was a disturbing sadism in his laughter as he bullied the younger children

Implies uncivilized, savage actions, often associated with ancient or less developed societies but can also describe extreme cruelty in modern times.

• The invasion was marked by acts of barbarity and plunder
• He couldn't believe the barbarity of the dictator's actions

Describes behavior that is extremely cruel and shows a lack of compassion, generally used for actions that are morally repugnant.

• The inhumanity of the prison guards was revealed in the leaked reports
• She couldn’t understand the inhumanity of leaving refugees without aid