brothel

noun

ˈbrä-thəl How to pronounce brothel (audio)
Definition of brothelnext
as in bordello
a building in which prostitutes are available the district is infamous for its brothels and drug dealers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brothel Detectives arrested the courier at a brothel on Riverside Drive, according to a police report. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 When Charles breaks down inside the brothel, how much of it was about Adam versus Cathy? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 The devastating climax of the story occurs when Cal Trask (Joseph Zada) takes his idealist twin Aron (Joe Anders) to see their mother’s brothel, driving Aron to join the army and then get killed in WWI. — Max Gao, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026 In the movie, a local brothel — the Devil’s Playhouse — becomes the target of a TV preacher, forcing the town’s sheriff, who happens to be a frequent customer, to save it. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brothel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brothel
  1. bordello
  2. stew
  3. crib
  4. cathouse
Noun
  • The Mint was at one time a bordello with six rooms upstairs, according to co-owner Tom Ricci, who purchased the business in 1984.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026
  • Houses could be rented for $15 a week and converted into bars, bordellos and gambling dens, with liquor licenses and health certificates optional.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of bordello
Noun
  • The also British Rosa — that’s four Brits onboard — has years of experience, even as a chief stew.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Aisha and her sister Nadia had spent the afternoon kneeling over a camping stove, preparing a lamb-and-okra stew.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stew
Noun
  • For families While there’s no kids’ club, and Amangani’s chic decor feels distinctly adult, the hotel welcomes families with open arms, and suites are plenty large enough for a crib or rollaway bed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That means placing the baby on their back in their own crib or bassinet, without soft bedding or other objects around them.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of crib
Noun
  • The cathouse madam Billie (played with authority and delight by Kate Shindle) has more to do than before.
    — ALEXIS SOLOSKI, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2018
Definition of cathouse

Browse Nearby Words

broomsticks
brothel
brothels
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brothel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brothel. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brothel

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