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
Relevance
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 brutally
And not just Hind — everyone in the film’s purview whose life was brutally cut short.
—
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
The already tense trip turns to abject horror when villagers begin getting brutally murdered by a beast in the night.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
With the possible exception of Silicon Valley and Wall Street, the movie industry is easily the most brutally capitalist of all.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
But Chicago's 2025 success really rests mostly on the shoulders of Williams, who recently offered some brutally honest comments on his debut season.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Hicks was brutally kicked and punched with her hair pulled.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
But the most shocking loss is that of Hank’s girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), who is brutally murdered by mafiosos in her apartment less than a third of the way through the film.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Laramie wants the redactions to remain in place and to block the release of additional images taken inside her daughter's bedroom, where both Mogen and Goncalves were brutally killed in a knife attack.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Later in the season, Ellie — now trying to hunt down Abby to deliver the same fate to her — brutally kills Nora, one of Abby's minions.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
The already tense trip turns to abject horror when villagers begin getting brutally murdered by a beast in the night.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
With the possible exception of Silicon Valley and Wall Street, the movie industry is easily the most brutally capitalist of all.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
But Chicago's 2025 success really rests mostly on the shoulders of Williams, who recently offered some brutally honest comments on his debut season.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Hicks was brutally kicked and punched with her hair pulled.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
But the most shocking loss is that of Hank’s girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), who is brutally murdered by mafiosos in her apartment less than a third of the way through the film.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
Laramie wants the redactions to remain in place and to block the release of additional images taken inside her daughter's bedroom, where both Mogen and Goncalves were brutally killed in a knife attack.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Later in the season, Ellie — now trying to hunt down Abby to deliver the same fate to her — brutally kills Nora, one of Abby's minions.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutally
Adverb
-
The data speaks more harshly than any anecdote.—
Yermys Pena,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Importantly, the association urged owners not to discipline their pups harshly for the behavior.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
An unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023 caused bleaching events that severely damaged many of Florida's reefs.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The boy made a full recovery, but was severely injured by bites to both legs.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
On an oppressively hot Friday in July, plumes of smoke curl up from Arnolds Field.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
That looks like a different Caleb Williams to me, so Ben Johnson's coached him hard this offseason.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The mixer's bowl boasts a distinctive walnut shade and wood grain pattern, and its food-safe seal means the bowl works hard (and looks good doing it).—
Ella Field,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brutally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutally. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share