brunt

noun

ˈbrənt 

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 Russians

—Walter Lippmann

2

: the greater part : burden

Synonyms of brunt

• weight
• body
• bulk
• core
• majority
• burden
• chief

Examples of brunt in a Sentence

the brunt of the responsibility fell on her shoulders

Recent Examples on the Web

Related Articles With China’s domestic market continuing to face headwinds, commercial galleries are already bearing the brunt. — Hok-Hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The housing market, being the most interest rate sensitive sector, bears the initial brunt of this pressure. — CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

With inconsistent access to training facilities and routines outside Springfield, pitchers seem to be bearing the brunt. — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

But with war in the Middle East also sending fuel prices soaring, small businesses in Nigeria are bearing the brunt. — Light Oriye Tamunotonye, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brunt

• the brunt of

Rhymes for brunt

• blunt
• bunt
• front
• grunt
• shunt
• stunt
• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt

Kids Definition

brunt

noun

ˈbrənt 

: the main force or stress (as of an attack)

the brunt of the storm