1
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
brute attacks on innocent civilians
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in feral
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a man of brute instinct, he deals with conflict the only way he knows how—by physical force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in animal
one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings
it is a fundamental sense of right and wrong that separates us from the brutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in villain
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
leave him alone, you brute!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brute
John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
This is an economy that runs on the assumption of potential—on the idea that tech founders will, through brute force, innovate their way into market domination and produce limitless riches.
—Theo Baker, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
The psychology that Bryk wrote for these young men is the key as to why these brutes are more lovable than unbearable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brute
Adjective
Something earned with brute force, with Oettinger on his rear end.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
This is an economy that runs on the assumption of potential—on the idea that tech founders will, through brute force, innovate their way into market domination and produce limitless riches.
—Theo Baker, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
In Raspail’s tale, hordes of impoverished and dark-skinned brutes from India descend onto French shores by way of rafts, the first wave of an invasion of the civilized West by the brown-skinned developing world.
—Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
The psychology that Bryk wrote for these young men is the key as to why these brutes are more lovable than unbearable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brute
Adjective
-
Caesar Lorenzo Wilson, 54, was sentenced to 224 years in prison for the 2024 murder of University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) professor Haleh Abghari, a killing prosecutors say began as a burglary and ended in a brutal stabbing inside her own home.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
No arrests have ever been made in the brutal killings of Russell and Shirley Dermond.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Starring Gervais, Diane Morgan and Tom Basden, Alley Cats follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
Let women be monstrous, disgusting, angry, feral creatures!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Peters’ attorney claims his client followed instructions from a licensed airboat guide and said no animals were harmed.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Buc-ee's is taking a Georgia convenience store chain to federal court, accusing it of copying its famous beaver brand right down to the cartoon mascot, the color scheme, and the life-size animal statue out front.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Fisk, the villain, ultimately loses this battle.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Who’s the villain on your show?—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Critic Rex Reed, who died Tuesday at 87, built his career on savage, acerbic reviews delivered with little restraint, earning a reputation as a provocateur.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Initially a beachy utopia where the children run free among nature, things become increasingly savage as help appears to be ever further away.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
As young girls begin to go missing, Iris falls in with a shadowy, brutish painter Louis (George Webster) who promises her an education in the arts.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The people running things are nasty, brutish and eager to appeal to baser instincts rather than better angels.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
-
An eelpout is not a Minnesota expression of surprise but a nocturnal, eel-like creature, often the quarry of ice-fishers.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Who’s the best monster in (contemporary) literature?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 May 2026
-
This midrange offering includes high-quality audio, advanced noise-cancelling tools, monster battery life, and is comfortable to wear for hours and hours.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brute. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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