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 of brute

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

Even the herculean efforts to acquire capabilities for the conflict with Iran largely amounted to a collection of waivers, special actions, and brute-force leadership. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Rather than continuing to work to legitimize her rule through support for the common people per Mysaria's counsel, Rhaenyra opted for the show of brute force Daemon has been all too eager to lead the charge on. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

Most sportsmen wonder how any whitetail bucks, let alone a brute such as Kontras’, could have been so easily patterned. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

The show’s depiction of Hugh as a family man has been much more sympathetic than the book’s description of him as a power-hungry brute. — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

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

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

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