as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the prisoners were treated brutally at the hands of the guards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brutally
The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
Back in a virtual Foxborough, the eyes of Iraqi goalkeeper Hassan — before, during and after Haaland had brutally dispossessed him in his own six-yard box — tell quite the story.
—
Adam Hurrey,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
The attraction is brutally utilitarian rather than just mechanical.
—
Malana Vantyler,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Parker then went to her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock's home and brutally killed her.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Soccer – football in much of the world – has a long and wonderful tradition of singing, whether that be in praise of their favorite players, mocking opponents (sometimes, brutally so) or simply urging their team forward.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Cholula This nearby city is part of the metropolitan area of Puebla and home to an ancient pyramid, which the Spanish eventually built a church on top of after brutally conquering the area.
—
Zanny Merullo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2026
They were forced on kidnapped and sold Africans who were brutally crammed into ships as well as in slave markets in the Deep South.
—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
An Orange County man who brutally killed his wife decades ago, in a murder that shocked Central Florida and dramatically changed the way domestic violence is treated, is slated to become the oldest person ever executed in Florida next week.
—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2026
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
Back in a virtual Foxborough, the eyes of Iraqi goalkeeper Hassan — before, during and after Haaland had brutally dispossessed him in his own six-yard box — tell quite the story.
—
Adam Hurrey,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
The attraction is brutally utilitarian rather than just mechanical.
—
Malana Vantyler,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Parker then went to her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock's home and brutally killed her.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Soccer – football in much of the world – has a long and wonderful tradition of singing, whether that be in praise of their favorite players, mocking opponents (sometimes, brutally so) or simply urging their team forward.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Cholula This nearby city is part of the metropolitan area of Puebla and home to an ancient pyramid, which the Spanish eventually built a church on top of after brutally conquering the area.
—
Zanny Merullo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2026
They were forced on kidnapped and sold Africans who were brutally crammed into ships as well as in slave markets in the Deep South.
—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
An Orange County man who brutally killed his wife decades ago, in a murder that shocked Central Florida and dramatically changed the way domestic violence is treated, is slated to become the oldest person ever executed in Florida next week.
—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutally
Adverb
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The difficulty lies in the fact that setting boundaries does not mean exercising authority harshly.
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But its conditions have been harshly criticized by l awyers, families and human rights groups, who have persistently denounced the mistreatment of detainees since the center opened 11 months ago, during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Adverb
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This reliance on ad budgets severely restricts the company in the mind of the market.
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Without that asset, the Heat’s package is severely degraded.
Adverb
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Fortunately, this spell of hot temps will be a generally drier heat — not necessarily oppressively humid like is typical for New England.
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The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War.
Adverb
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Panama's also struggling to keep Bukayo Saka on the lefthand side as the Arsenal winger pushes hard into the attacking third.
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The softness of the silhouette takes the edge off the athletic base, making the whole look feel a little more polished without trying too hard.
Cite this Entry
“Brutally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutally. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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