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.
Aquaman was released after Justice League, but the full brunt of the damage done to the DCEU by executives had not fully manifested yet, nor had audience disinterest taken firm root. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 In other states, however, different demographics could bear the greatest brunt of the cuts, experts say. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Despite most of New York being spared, storm reports showed damage from Connecticut into Central New Jersey, with Union, Somerset and Middlesex counties appearing to have taken most of the brunt. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025 The Southeast could feel the strongest brunt of storms in the afternoon and evening. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 June 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 21 Jul. 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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