brutality

/bruːˈtæləti/ (bre, ipa) · [brutˈæləti] /bruːˈtæləti/ (ame, ipa) · [brutˈæləti] /brü-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce brutality (audio)/ (ame, mw)

brutality — noun

1. extremely cruel and violent behaviour that shows no pity for the suffering of ot

1.名詞B2
釋義

extremely cruel and violent behaviour that shows no pity for the suffering of others; also, a single act of this nature.

例句

Rachel described the brutality of the guards at the detention centre to the press.

Linh could not forget the brutality she witnessed as a child during the war.

witness + brutality — collocation with a sensory or memory verb

同義詞
  • cruelty

    broader; covers emotional and psychological harm, not only physical violence

  • savagery

    implies wild, untamed violence, often associated with primitive or animal-like ferocity

  • viciousness

    focuses more on the deliberate intent to cause harm than on the scale of violence

反義詞
  • compassion

    deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

  • gentleness

    mild, tender behaviour; the opposite of violent force

  • kindness

    the quality of being warm-hearted and considerate

文法句型

brutality of + noun

brutality towards/against + person/group

用法筆記

Both uncountable (the general quality or behaviour) and countable (a single brutal act). Common in legal, journalistic, and human-rights contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He showed brutality by telling her the honest truth about her singing.
✅He was brutally honest with her about her singing.
💡'brutality' describes physical cruelty and violence; emotional bluntness or harsh truth-telling uses 'brutal' as an adverb ('brutally honest') or adjective, never the noun 'brutality.'