1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
brutal hard labor in the hot sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cruel
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a brutal tyrant who drove his country to revolt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a coarse, brutal man who has no sense of what it means to be refined or sensitive or cultured
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 brutal
But this was South Korea in the 1960s – a deeply patriarchal society that was singularly focused on rebuilding from the devastation of the Korean war and Japan’s brutal occupation before that.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
This boomerang effect is only one of the many risks associated with mercenaries, who make wars more affordable, more opaque, more brutal—and more likely.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The Industrial Revolution brought widespread misery in the form of brutal factory working conditions.
—P.e. Moskowitz
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet rain fell, the offensive plan changed, and the Rams lost after a brutal performance by Rypien.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
This boomerang effect is only one of the many risks associated with mercenaries, who make wars more affordable, more opaque, more brutal—and more likely.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The Industrial Revolution brought widespread misery in the form of brutal factory working conditions.
—P.e. Moskowitz
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet rain fell, the offensive plan changed, and the Rams lost after a brutal performance by Rypien.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal
Adjective
-
Oysters inspired the researchers because of their remarkable ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or even each other in the harsh underwater environment.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The cruel irony is that the very systems designed to promote inclusion can inadvertently reinforce exclusion.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These models typically rely on simplification or brute-force computation, often at the cost of accuracy.—
Somnath Banerjee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The new system avoids this brute-force approach.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As and when evidence against that narrative comes out, either via six monthly reports or from some other source, the crash in the stock price will be more vicious than otherwise.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In these homes, the conflict between budgeting and feeding kids well creates huge psychological stress for parents, which can lead to anxiety and depression, fueling the vicious cycle of stress and unhealthy eating, Beresin said.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Its pace is slow — occasionally, but rarely, to its detriment — but this clearly deliberate tempo gives you the chance to shoulder the burdens of its oppressive atmosphere and settle into its many puzzles, which regularly trade logic for personal interpretation, and occasionally just vibes.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This process includes questioning the logics and myths that uphold the status quo and calling out oppression as part of the struggle toward an anti-oppressive future.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After all, Miami seemingly has stamina to withstand searing heat after practicing in it all summer, while the opponent typically comes to town ill-prepared for the oppressive temperatures and humidity.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brutal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutal. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share