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
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Recent Examples of brutal
Mind games or just brutal honesty?
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
As the Chicago area gears up for one of the most brutal heat waves its seen in years, Chicago Pride Parade organizers are making sure everyone celebrates safely on the first day of high temperatures.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Gelof suffered a right hand laceration and contusion during the brutal, bottom-of-the-second-inning play that led to the A’s infielder exiting the game with blood visible on his hand, the club said earlier this week.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Now that Jackson is the Republican nominee for governor, his next challenge is to unite a fractured party still bruised from a brutal primary fight, Greg Bluestein reports.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
As the Chicago area gears up for one of the most brutal heat waves its seen in years, Chicago Pride Parade organizers are making sure everyone celebrates safely on the first day of high temperatures.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Gelof suffered a right hand laceration and contusion during the brutal, bottom-of-the-second-inning play that led to the A’s infielder exiting the game with blood visible on his hand, the club said earlier this week.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Now that Jackson is the Republican nominee for governor, his next challenge is to unite a fractured party still bruised from a brutal primary fight, Greg Bluestein reports.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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Swift moved on from one Brit to the next, quietly dating actor Joe Alwyn from 2017 to 2023, while the world spent back-to-back cruel summers without Taymerica.
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This is particularly gratifying given the absurd and cruel trolling the young actress received from the toxic corners of internet fandom leading up to the film’s release.
Adjective
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Unlike modern fighters that balance agility, stealth, and sensor fusion, the MiG-25 was engineered around brute force.
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Similarly, history’s greatest leaders understand the absolute limits of brute force.
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
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That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
Adjective
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Dealing with extreme heat in India, where oppressive temperatures have become a matter of routine in recent years, revealed another disconnect.
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The Shah was so corrupt and oppressive that the 1979 revolution was almost inevitable.
Adjective
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For my microgeneration, the disillusionment crept in with the savage failure of the Iraq War.
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Set in the fictional lands of Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts a savage succession struggle within House Targaryen and a resulting civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Adjective
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That has given players an opportunity to rest and recover ahead of the next fixture, but some of those games have taken place in searing heat, which will have had its effect on players, especially if they are not used to playing in that climate.
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But the street parties also come after months of scrutiny as FIFA has faced searing criticism across the globe for soaring World Cup ticket prices.
Cite this Entry
“Brutal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutal. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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