What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brutality
Example
The police officer was accused of brutality towards the protestors. [brutality: noun]
Example
The prisoner suffered from the brutality of his captors. [brutality: noun]
cruelty
Example
Animal cruelty is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. [cruelty: noun]
Example
She couldn't bear the cruelty of the bullies towards her classmates. [cruelty: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cruelty is more commonly used than brutality in everyday language. Cruelty is a versatile word that can be applied to different contexts, such as animal cruelty or acts of cruelty towards others. Brutality is less common and tends to be used in specific situations that involve extreme violence or harsh treatment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brutality and cruelty?
Both brutality and cruelty can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brutality may carry a slightly more formal tone due to its association with legal or political discussions, while cruelty is more commonly used in everyday conversations.
