brute

adjective \ ˈbrüt \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: brute in a Sentence

Definition of brute

1 : of or relating to beasts

the ways of the brute world

2 : inanimate 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

See brute defined for English-language learners

See brute defined for kids

Examples of brute in a Sentence

They used brute force to open the door.
the brute fact of getting old

Recent Examples of brute from the Web

The Cameroonian military responded to the protests with brute force.

— siobhán o'grady, Washington Post, "Africa’s next civil war could be in Cameroon," 30 May 2018
Breaking that protection via brute force would take an unimaginable amount of time.

— louise matsakis, WIRED, "How WIRED Lost $100,000 in Bitcoin," 28 May 2018
Other countries have changed laws in light of technological advances that have made many jobs safer and less reliant on brute force, or have seen courts overturn bans as discriminatory.

— The Economist, "Labour laws in 104 countries reserve some jobs for men only," 26 May 2018
Saturday Highlights: Journey back to the days of fighting knights, athletic competitions of brute force on open fields, and the parade of pipes that define Scottish culture.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summer Guide May 27-June 2," 25 May 2018
Highlights: Journey back to the days of fighting knights, athletic competitions of brute force on open fields, and the parade of pipes that define Scottish culture.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Major summer festivals in Milwaukee in 2018; Summerfest and many more," 18 May 2018
In addition to brute force, Santos also has quick feet and changes directions well, making him a difficult cover.

— aaron carter, Philly.com, "Central wins second straight Public League lacrosse title behind Vinny Santos," 17 May 2018
There was the brute force of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004-05, which lost just once on its way to the previous record tally of 95 points.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "Manchester City: The Greatest Team in Premier League History?," 14 May 2018
With no steering- or brake-assist technology, Einhorn has to use brute force to muscle the Healey around turns and bring it to a stop.

— matt ormseth, courant.com, "New Haven Lawyer’s Austin-Healey Built To Race," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of brute

Middle English, from Middle French brut rough, from Latin brutus brutish, literally, heavy; akin to Latin gravis heavy — more at grieve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

brute Synonyms

Phrases

red in tooth and claw;

brute

noun

Definition of brute

1 : beast

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

See brute defined for English-language learners

Examples of brute in a Sentence

Let go of me, you brute!
it is a fundamental sense of right and wrong that separates us from the brutes

Recent Examples of brute from the Web

Fans of the hulking now undead brute, The Mountain (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson) have the most to gain or lose with 150-to-1 odds.

— matthew wilson, USA TODAY, "Who will win 'Game of Thrones'? Fans are already betting," 5 June 2018
In ancient, barbaric days when local vassals managed petite armies, brute knights often swept into villages, declaring the inhabitants subject to new laws and new lords before riding off again with the changing of the season.

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "Electric Scooters Are the Cargo Shorts of Transportation," 31 May 2018
The second-gen model is designed better than before, with a smaller interior footprint, easier installation and resistance against brute-force attacks.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "CNET: Meet The Smartest Locks On The Block," 30 May 2018
The aim of the game is to collect all six stones, and the principal player is Thanos (Josh Brolin), a meaty brute with a chin that would make Kirk Douglas run away and hide.

— michelle mcnamara, The New Yorker, "“Avengers: Infinity War” and “Let the Sunshine In”," 27 Apr. 2018
Trevor was a scientist and Cole was the brute strength guy.

— bob nightengale, USA TODAY, "Will Trevor Bauer-Gerrit Cole beef ever die? 'Not going to happen,' says one," 24 May 2018
That brute-force, chemically intensive effort can't work at the level of a forest.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Some endangered frogs may be leaping back from extinction," 17 May 2018
The slapping as described in this article was bang-on brute violence.

— alexa tsoulis-reay, The Cut, "Here’s How Consent and BDSM Role-Play Actually Work," 9 May 2018
Black Dwarf Seemingly invincible, Black Dwarf is the brute force of the group, looking like the alien version of a fantasy barbarian and favoring weapons like a mace and an axe to get the job done.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "A Guide to the Villains of 'Avengers: Infinity War'," 27 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of brute

see ¹brute

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

brute Synonyms

Synonyms

baddie (or baddy), beast, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scoundrel, varlet, villain, wretch;

Near Antonyms

angel, innocent, saint;

hero;

Related Words

villainess;

blackguard;

criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor;

sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer;

cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper;

bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw;

con, convict, jailbird;

assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug;

rough, rowdy, tough;

loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash;

BRUTE Defined for English Language Learners

brute

adjective

Definition of brute for English Language Learners

: very strong or forceful
: very harsh

brute

noun

Definition of brute for English Language Learners

: a cruel, rough, or violent man

BRUTE Defined for Kids

brute

adjective \ ˈbrüt \

Definition of brute for Students

: typical of beasts : like that of a beast

We used brute force to open the door.

brute

noun

Definition of brute for Students

1 : a four-footed animal especially when wild

2 : a cruel or rough person

Learn More about brute

See words that rhyme with brute Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for brute Spanish Central: Translation of brute Nglish: Translation of brute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of brute for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up brute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

brute

Definition of brute

Examples of brute in a Sentence

Recent Examples of brute from the Web

Origin and Etymology of brute

brute Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

brute

Definition of brute

Examples of brute in a Sentence

Recent Examples of brute from the Web

Origin and Etymology of brute

brute Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

BRUTE Defined for English Language Learners

brute

Definition of brute for English Language Learners

brute

Definition of brute for English Language Learners

BRUTE Defined for Kids

brute

Definition of brute for Students

brute

Definition of brute for Students

Learn More about brute

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

On the Disruption of 'Disrupt'

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word