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

Political analysts say the data center dynamic could harm incumbents, who will take the brunt of public backlash for unpopular development. —Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

The communities least able to afford it bear the brunt of extreme weather and deserve to be protected. —Kristine Alessio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026

As the world gets warmer and garment workers in the global South continue to bear the brunt of rising temperatures, protecting them has never been more urgent. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2026

But consumers haven't felt the brunt of the FCC's actions until today. —Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 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