Synonyms of brunt
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.
Smaller investors, drawn by the excitement, often bear the brunt of subsequent declines. Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Target has also been the subject of backlash over its actions on a number of social justice issues, and the brunt of that has fallen on Cornell. Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 22 June 2026 But my own family has felt the brunt of the exclusion after my father’s parents – both of whom were Parsi – divorced and each remarried outside. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 As a result, mothers typically bear the brunt of the caregiving burden in the earliest weeks and months, whereas fathers may take on more responsibility later, around the time many mothers go back to work. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 21 June 2026 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 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

brunt

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