brutalement

brutally

adverb bru-tal-MAHN Rare

Also means

abruptly

Usage Note

Brutalement can describe physical violence ('beaten brutally') but is also very common in French journalistic language meaning 'suddenly and shockingly' — mourir brutalement means 'to die suddenly (in an accident)' with no implication of violence. This broader sense catches English speakers off guard. It derives from brutal + -ment, the standard French adverb suffix.

Examples

"Il a freiné brutalement pour éviter un choc."

Natural Translation

He braked sharply to avoid a collision.

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