1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
brutal hard labor in the hot sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brutal
The company had just wrapped up a brutal year-end accounting, which showed losses of $27 million on revenue of just $1.1 million.
—
David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
The San Diego City Council on Thursday listened to hours of often brutal testimony from two agencies tasked with addressing homelessness about how local deficits and rapidly changing federal policies could upend the social safety net.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
The Cavs had at least two brutal turnovers in the final minute, one when Strus couldn’t get the ball in and one when Mitchell charged into Aaron Nesmith.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 7 May 2025
That brutal, inhumane assault was captured on video, yet the officers responsible were acquitted.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
The San Diego City Council on Thursday listened to hours of often brutal testimony from two agencies tasked with addressing homelessness about how local deficits and rapidly changing federal policies could upend the social safety net.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
The Cavs had at least two brutal turnovers in the final minute, one when Strus couldn’t get the ball in and one when Mitchell charged into Aaron Nesmith.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 7 May 2025
That brutal, inhumane assault was captured on video, yet the officers responsible were acquitted.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal
Adjective
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Avoid harsh products: Soaps, lotions, and products with fragrance, alcohol, or dyes can dry out the skin and worsen atopic dermatitis.—
Health,
Health,
11 May 2025
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From adorable accents to cozy touches, drivers are increasingly looking for ways to make their commutes and grocery runs just a bit more enjoyable—perhaps to offset the harsh reality of gas prices (and everything else).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Scheifele’s emotional and inspirational decision to play mere hours after his father’s unexpected death — to play for his dad, to play because of his dad — ended in cruel fashion, with Scheifele helpless in the penalty box.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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At first the program seems to be benign, but Hayakawa’s film steadily reveals how the policy thrives on the cruel capitalist tenet that people are disposable.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Forces allied with the government and armed civilians responded with brute force.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2025
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The Pistons are young, competitive, brute, have already formed one of the league’s most in-your-face identities and now have experience, too.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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But his sharpness increased as the tournament progressed, especially in the semi-final against his toughest opponent on paper, Stephen Nedoroscik.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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Federal judges have so far been skeptical of the Trump administration’s past efforts to use extraordinary powers to make deportations easier, and that could make suspending habeas corpus even tougher.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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But even when locked in a tense, deadly standoff with the vicious Barbie, Moulin doesn’t break, and his courage and silence helps lead to the liberation of France, while leaving behind a new spirit of strength and resistance.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
10 May 2025
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Bone Tomahawk Year: 2015 Runtime: 2h 11m Director: S. Craig Zahler S. Craig Zahler has become one of the most divisive filmmakers working today after three vicious, brutal movies — Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Dragged Across Concrete.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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That this sincere notion dovetails with an itch to vacate her dour, oppressive home only adds to her determination.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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To be sure, Florida had its attractions, one of which was the sunny weather, although air conditioning was still rare at the time, and the heat and humidity could be oppressive for much of the year.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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Set in 2019 Los Angeles, Akil’s update paints a searing portrait of the issues faced by teenagers today, exploring the social media age and how, via the race-swapping of the leads, Black kids come of age in white America.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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As one more analogous reference, the need to manage hows reminds me of great literature, in particular, Viktor Frankl’s searing memoir Man’s Search For Meaning.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brutal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutal. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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