Violence vs. Brutality — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Violence is the use of physical force to harm someone, while brutality is a severe and cruel form of violence, often excessive or unprovoked.
Difference Between Violence and Brutality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Violence encompasses the use of physical force to injure, damage, or kill, which can be either lawful, such as in self-defense, or unlawful. Whereas, brutality is an extreme form of violence characterized by cruelty and a lack of mercy, often beyond what is necessary to achieve an objective. Brutality is almost always viewed as morally and legally unacceptable.
In terms of application, violence can range from minor acts of aggression, like pushing or shoving, to major acts that could result in serious injury or death. On the other hand, brutality implies a gratuitous use of force that is not only intense but also excessive. This type of violence is often intended to intimidate or punish beyond the normal scope of justice.
The contexts in which violence and brutality are discussed also differ. Violence is a broader term used in various contexts, from domestic to warfare, implying physical force. Whereas brutality is often used in specific contexts like police brutality or war crimes, where the severity and cruelty of the act are emphasized.
Victims of violence may experience different degrees of harm depending on the nature and intent of the act. On the other hand, brutality, by definition, involves scenarios where the victims suffer extreme pain and suffering, often in situations where they are powerless or subdued.
Public perception also plays a role; violence can sometimes be seen as a justified or inevitable part of life, depending on the context, like in self-defense. In contrast, brutality is almost universally condemned, as it represents a severe abuse of power or strength.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Use of physical force to harm or kill
Severe, cruel, and excessive form of violence
Legality
Can be legal (e.g., self-defense)
Typically considered illegal and unacceptable
Severity
Varies from mild to severe
Always severe and excessive
Contexts
Domestic, criminal, warfare, self-defense
Police brutality, torture, war crimes
Public Perception
Can be seen as justified in some cases
Generally condemned and seen as abuse
Compare with Definitions
Violence
The strength of emotion or an unpleasant or destructive natural force.
The violence of the storm caught everyone off guard.
Brutality
The quality of being ruthless, cruel, and harsh.
The brutality of the regime was well-documented.
Violence
The act of violating, or the state of being violated.
The violence done to the victims was unforgivable.
Brutality
Savage physical violence; great cruelty.
The brutality of the guards was condemned by human rights organizations.
Violence
Intentional use of physical force or power, threatening or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group.
The violence at the rally escalated quickly.
Brutality
Excessive or unnecessarily savage use of physical force.
The officer was fired for the brutality shown during the arrest.
Violence
The unlawful exercise of physical force.
The perpetrator was arrested for domestic violence.
Brutality
A brutal act or course of action.
The report detailed the brutalities committed during the war.
Violence
Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
The movie contains scenes of graphic violence.
Brutality
An instance of cruel and violent treatment or behavior.
Stories of police brutality sparked protests across the nation.
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation."Internationally, violence resulted in deaths of an estimated 1.28 million people in 2013 up from 1.13 million in 1990.
Brutality
The state or quality of being ruthless, cruel, harsh, or unrelenting.
Violence
Behavior or treatment in which physical force is exerted for the purpose of causing damage or injury
The violence of the rioters.
Brutality
A ruthless, cruel, harsh, or unrelenting act.
Violence
Intense force or great power, as in natural phenomena
The violence of a tornado.
Brutality
The state of being brutal.
Violence
Extreme or powerful emotion or expression
The violence of their tirades.
Brutality
A cruel or savage act.
Violence
Distortion of meaning or intent
Do violence to a text.
Brutality
The use of excessive physical force, often in the form of violence.
Police brutality
School brutality
Violence
Extreme force.
The violence of the storm, fortunately, was more awesome than destructive.
Brutality
The quality of being brutal; inhumanity; savageness; pitilessness.
Violence
Physical action which causes destruction, harm, pain, or suffering.
We try to avoid violence in resolving conflicts.
Brutality
An inhuman act.
The . . . brutalities exercised in war.
Violence
Widespread fighting.
Violence between the government and the rebels continues.
Brutality
The trait of extreme cruelty
Violence
(figuratively) Injustice, wrong.
The translation does violence to the original novel.
Brutality
A brutal barbarous savage act
Violence
(obsolete) ravishment; rape; violation
Violence
(nonstandard) To subject to violence.
Violence
The quality or state of being violent; highly excited action, whether physical or moral; vehemence; impetuosity; force.
That sealYou ask with such a violence, the king,Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me.
All the elementsAt least had gone to wrack, disturbed and tornWith the violence of this conflict.
Violence
Injury done to that which is entitled to respect, reverence, or observance; profanation; infringement; unjust force; outrage; assault.
Do violence to do man.
We can not, without offering violence to all records, divine and human, deny an universal deluge.
Looking down, he sawThe whole earth filled with violence.
Violence
Ravishment; rape; constupration.
Violence
To assault; to injure; also, to bring by violence; to compel.
Violence
An act of aggression (as one against a person who resists);
He may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one
Violence
The property of being wild or turbulent;
The storm's violence
Violence
A turbulent state resulting in injuries and destruction etc.
Common Curiosities
What is violence?
Violence refers to the intentional use of physical force to harm, damage, or kill.
What are common examples of brutality?
Common examples include police brutality, torture, and cruel punishments.
Can violence ever be justified?
Violence can be justified in certain situations, such as self-defense.
How does society view violence and brutality?
Society may accept violence in some contexts, like self-defense, but brutality is almost universally condemned.
Are there laws against brutality?
Yes, many jurisdictions have laws specifically against acts of brutality, especially in law enforcement and wartime conduct.
What defines brutality?
Brutality is characterized by extreme cruelty and a gratuitous, excessive use of force.
Is brutality ever legal?
Brutality, due to its excessive and cruel nature, is typically considered illegal and morally reprehensible.
What is the relationship between violence and brutality?
Brutality is a subset of violence, distinguished by its excessive and cruel nature.
How do media portray violence and brutality?
Media portrayals can vary, but brutality is often highlighted to draw attention to issues of injustice and abuse.
What are the psychological effects of experiencing brutality?
The effects can include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other severe emotional disturbances.
What impact does brutality have on victims?
Brutality can lead to severe physical and psychological trauma for the victims.
What measures can be taken to reduce brutality?
Implementing strict laws, enhancing training for law enforcement, and increasing public awareness are key measures.
What role does accountability play in addressing brutality?
Ensuring accountability through transparent investigations and trials is crucial to deter future acts of brutality.
Can a minor act of violence be considered brutality?
No, brutality implies a significant degree of severity and excess, beyond minor acts of violence.
How do violence and brutality differ in legal contexts?
Violence has broader legal interpretations, while brutality is specifically associated with illegal excess in the use of force.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
