WordValebrutalism
a style of massive raw concrete forms
In more detail
1. (noun) an architectural style featuring large concrete buildings with bold, heavy forms and few decorative details
2. (noun) a philosophical or political approach that rejects compromise and uses extreme or harsh methods
Examples
- The building is a classic example of brutalism with its massive concrete blocks and fortress-like appearance.
- Some critics accused the regime of brutalism in its approach to enforcing laws.
How to use brutalism
Brutalism in architecture refers to a mid-20th century style marked by massive concrete forms, geometric shapes, and utilitarian aesthetics, often applied to public buildings and housing projects. In philosophical or political contexts, it describes an uncompromising stance that prioritizes ideological purity or direct action over negotiation. The term carries mixed connotations: in architecture it can be appreciative or critical, while philosophically it typically implies extremism.
Common phrases
- brutalist architecture
- brutalist building
- brutalist design
- embrace brutalism
- architectural brutalism
- political brutalism
Synonyms
concrete brutalism · stark modernism · uncompromising approach · hardline stance · maximalism
Opposites
ornamentation · compromise · subtlety
Word family
brutalist (adjective/noun) · brutalistic (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse brutalism with brutality or brutality-based ideology, when in fact architectural brutalism is a neutral descriptive term and political brutalism refers to methods rather than violence per se.
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