brotherhood

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'brotherhood' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of men who are united by a common bond or purpose, such as an order of monks or a group of firefighters. For example, you might say, "The firefighters of Station 12 had a strong sense of brotherhood, looking out for each other no matter the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On a sad, black-edged day for rugby's brotherhood it speaks volumes for Jerry Collins that his untimely death is being mourned far beyond New Zealand and his native Samoa.

The Guardian - Sport

Francis has said he would have loved to have entered the US via the Mexican border in a "beautiful... sign of brotherhood and of help to the immigrants".

The Guardian

The confrontation sparked night-long clashes that left at least 11 dead, some of them Brotherhood supporters, and began a spiral of political upheaval that led the army to overthrow Morsi in July following days of mass protests.

The Guardian

And there is little doubt of his ardour for the military life: the brotherhood of combat; the allure of war; the self-loathing of avoiding conflict; and the attraction of sinking his royal identity beneath a military cap.

The Guardian

In fact, if the muslim brotherhood and affiliates continue to operate in the UK I suspect Muslims in the British Isles will look back on the days when all the natives did was piss on them as the 'good' olde days".

The Guardian - Opinion

The youth association was flourishing in Poland, a newly independent state set up after the first world war, with a strong focus on patriotism, "toughness" and brotherhood.

The Guardian

"Politicians should take care of politics but sport needs to be a place of brotherhood which brings people together".

The Guardian - Sport

In the letter, Bachmann wondered how Abedin was not disqualified for a US security clearance "given what we know from the international media about Abedin's documented family connections with the extremist Muslim Brotherhood".

The Guardian

They point out that the Brotherhood leaders, most of whom had been arrested only days earlier, left jail along with 20,000 other prisoners after prison guards left their positions en masse amid the chaos of the revolution in early 2011.

The Guardian

Officially, Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood claimed they opposed FGM, but prominent members and allies of the group expressed support for it.

The Guardian

Another ultra-conservative MP, Nasser al-Shaker – a member of a Salafi party that was then an ally of the Brotherhood – called for legalisation of FGM, and said it had a religious mandate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the concept of "brotherhood", consider the specific context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. For example, in a military context, it might refer to the bond between soldiers, while in a social context, it could represent a broader sense of unity and equality.

Common error

While "brotherhood" traditionally refers to a bond between men, be mindful of potentially excluding women or non-binary individuals. Consider using more inclusive terms like "community", "fellowship", or "kinship" when appropriate to avoid unintended bias.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brotherhood" is as a noun. It represents a state of being brothers or an association of people with shared interests. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from describing the bond within a rugby team to referring to political organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brotherhood" is a noun that signifies a strong sense of unity, solidarity, and mutual support within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, with a particularly high frequency in news and media. While generally acceptable, it is important to be mindful of gender bias and consider more inclusive alternatives when appropriate. Remember that while the term describes a community of men with similar interests, feelings, or purposes, Ludwig's examples point out that the word "brotherhood" can have other interpretations, like a connotation for professional groups, such as "the legal brotherhood" or "the medical brotherhood".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fellowship

Emphasizes the company and shared interests or feelings.

camaraderie

Highlights the mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.

group cohesion

Highlights the act of forming a united whole.

fraternal bond

Emphasizes the connection and kinship shared among individuals.

mutual support

Highlights the act of providing assistance and encouragement to one another.

sense of unity

Highlights the feeling of being united or one, sharing common aims.

shared identity

Focuses on the common characteristics and beliefs that unite a group.

community spirit

Emphasizes the feelings of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

esprit de corps

Focuses on the feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by members of a group.

collective solidarity

Emphasizes the unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest.

FAQs

How can I use "brotherhood" in a sentence?

You can use "brotherhood" to describe a sense of connection and support, as in, "The military veterans shared a strong "brotherhood" forged in combat".

What is the difference between "brotherhood" and "fellowship"?

"Brotherhood" typically implies a deeper, more inherent bond, often associated with shared experiences or values. "Fellowship", such as "fellowship", can be more general, referring to shared activities or interests.

When is it appropriate to use "brotherhood" instead of "community"?

Use "brotherhood" when you want to emphasize a close-knit, supportive relationship among members, especially if there's a sense of shared identity or purpose. "Community", such as "community", is more general and can encompass a wider range of relationships.

Are there any gender-neutral alternatives to "brotherhood"?

Yes, consider using terms like "kinship", "solidarity", or "camaraderie" to be more inclusive while conveying a similar sense of unity and support.