1
: the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)
bear the brunt of the storm
the brunt of the struggle with the German army fell upon the RussiansWalter Lippmann
2
: the greater part : burden

Examples of brunt in a Sentence

the brunt of the responsibility fell on her shoulders
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Minnesota is kind of taking the brunt at the moment. Corey Williams, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025 Usually, importers will pass costs on to consumers via higher prices, which means that American shoppers will often bear the financial brunt. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 But, in true perspective, the overwhelming brunt of the anti-Nazi fight was borne by the USSR. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025 The Sunshine State, long a welcoming winter escape for Canadian sun worshippers like Robert, who hails from Saint-Jean in Quebec, is feeling the brunt. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brunt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brunt was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brunt. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

brunt

noun
: the main force or stress (as of an attack)
the brunt of the storm
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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