1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
brutal hard labor in the hot sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cruel
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a brutal tyrant who drove his country to revolt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a coarse, brutal man who has no sense of what it means to be refined or sensitive or cultured
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brutal
Mind games or just brutal honesty?
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
As the Chicago area gears up for one of the most brutal heat waves its seen in years, Chicago Pride Parade organizers are making sure everyone celebrates safely on the first day of high temperatures.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Gelof suffered a right hand laceration and contusion during the brutal, bottom-of-the-second-inning play that led to the A’s infielder exiting the game with blood visible on his hand, the club said earlier this week.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Now that Jackson is the Republican nominee for governor, his next challenge is to unite a fractured party still bruised from a brutal primary fight, Greg Bluestein reports.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
As the Chicago area gears up for one of the most brutal heat waves its seen in years, Chicago Pride Parade organizers are making sure everyone celebrates safely on the first day of high temperatures.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Gelof suffered a right hand laceration and contusion during the brutal, bottom-of-the-second-inning play that led to the A’s infielder exiting the game with blood visible on his hand, the club said earlier this week.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Now that Jackson is the Republican nominee for governor, his next challenge is to unite a fractured party still bruised from a brutal primary fight, Greg Bluestein reports.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
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This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
Adjective
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Unlike modern fighters that balance agility, stealth, and sensor fusion, the MiG-25 was engineered around brute force.
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Similarly, history’s greatest leaders understand the absolute limits of brute force.
Adjective
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MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
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The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
Adjective
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This vicious machine chewed him up and spit him out in predictable fashion.
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The mood changed a bit when Tab Ramos took a vicious elbow to the side of his head and fractured his skull.
Adjective
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Dealing with extreme heat in India, where oppressive temperatures have become a matter of routine in recent years, revealed another disconnect.
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The Shah was so corrupt and oppressive that the 1979 revolution was almost inevitable.
Adjective
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The Yellow Death has disfigured the population, and soldiers in white-and-red tunics serve the savage Duke of Tviot.
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Josefowicz, in her decathlon of a performance, brought Ligeti’s savage discontinuities to the surface.
Adjective
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On Wednesday, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlined a slew of challenges facing the city this weekend, including huge Independence Day celebrations, a World Cup match and a searing heat wave.
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What began as searing pain in one of his arms was now a relentless ache in his chest.
Cite this Entry
“Brutal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutal. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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