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

More on one Valley school district whose administrators bear no brunt of the $200K cost to defend administrators against serious allegations. —Wendy Killeen, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026

According to JPMorgan banking data on financial outflows of firms with revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, the cost of importing goods has skyrocketed—and American companies are bearing the brunt. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

Where people lack safe drinking water and sanitation close to home, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026

Software stocks bore the initial brunt of AI disruption nerves. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 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