brute

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrüt 

1

: of or relating to beasts

the ways of the brute world

2

: inanimate sense 1a

a brute object

3

: characteristic of an animal in quality, action, or instinct: such as

a

: cruel, savage

brute violence

b

: not working by reason

brute instinct

4

: purely physical

brute strength

brute force

5

: unrelievedly harsh

brute facts

brute necessity

brute

2 of 2

noun

1

: beast

2

: one who lacks intelligence, sensitivity, or compassion : a brutal person

Synonyms

Adjective

• brutal
• savage
• cruel
• vicious
• ruthless

Noun

• animal
• creature

Examples of brute in a Sentence

Adjective

They used brute force to open the door.

the brute fact of getting old

Noun

Let go of me, you brute!

it is a fundamental sense of right and wrong that separates us from the brutes

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

However, kindness possesses its own power, exerting a force more enduring than brute strength. —Jennifer Boulanger, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025

Instead of overpowering her adversaries with brute strength, Eve is taught to get creative and utilize whatever is around her— including ice skates, pots and pans — as weapons to defend herself. —Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025

Noun

This freshly re-imagined Jag is worlds apart from that old German brute, but was similar in the sense of feeling wonderfully light and responsive, and utilizing hydraulic fluid to power its steering. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Cops released surveillance photos of a trio of brutes wanted for punching, repeatedly stabbing and robbing a man on a Bronx train last month. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English brut "like an animal, not human," borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from Latin brūtus "heavy, inert, devoid of intelligence or feeling, brutish," going back to Indo-European *g^wr̥h₂-u-to-, derivative of a base *g^werh₂-u- "heavy" — more at grave entry 2

Note: Latin brūtus, with b- representing Indo-European *g^w-, is taken to be a loan from another Italic language, presumably Oscan. The literal sense "heavy" was largely lost, though compare brūtum pondus "dead weight" in Lucretius, and the grammarian Festus's comment that "the ancients said brutus for gravis ['heavy']" ("brutum antiqui gravem dicebant").

Noun

derivative of brute entry 1, perhaps after Medieval Latin brūtum "brute animal"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brute

• beaut
• boot
• bruit
• brut
• chute
• coot
• cute
• flute
• fruit
• hoot
• jute
• loot

Kids Definition

brute

1 of 2 adjective

ˈbrüt 

1

: of or relating to beasts

2

: typical of beasts : like that of a beast

brute force

brute strength

brute

2 of 2 noun

1

: animal entry 1 sense 2a

2

: a brutal person