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
Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, led by Cristobal – a former Canes offensive lineman – Miami’s identity is built on blocking, bullying and brute strength.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brute
Adjective
Donald of Deliria is wallowing in brute force.
—Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Now, led by Cristobal – a former Canes offensive lineman – Miami’s identity is built on blocking, bullying and brute strength.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
An extermination of the brutes in the Middle East, presided over by Obama’s successors, has been followed by a swift cancellation by Trumpian decree of the postracial age.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brute
Adjective
-
With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Unrelenting cold in storm’s aftermath Last weekend’s historic winter storm and the brutal cold that followed have been blamed for at least 85 deaths in the US, the Associated Press reported.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hunters can find whitetail deer, turkeys, feral pigs, mallards, wood ducks, gadwall, wigeon, teal, canvasback and other migratory bird species.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Big burgers spark bigger ideas from the community Long-time participant Corey Geier has already tried over half of the 50 burgers in the feral food competition.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rihanna, too, has laid her claim to the pattern, having long been an animal print fanatic.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Well before plants and animals, there were fungi.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Picking winners and losers, heroes and villains, pathways to success and failure, generates excitement for an event and manufactures a sense of urgency for maximal viewing pleasure.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
What the late Ka did to build resolve against the unforgiving brutalities of Brownsville, Marci combines with the flair of a Bond villain and contempt for anyone attempting to copy his mold.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sons of Anarchy was praised for its stellar writing, operatic plotting, and cast of actors who breathed vivid life into their characters, giving even the most savage moments a dose of humanity.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
-
This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But don’t dismiss Ausar as a one-dimensional, brutish player.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The deeper problem is that Gaza has become a Hobbesian free-for-all, where life is likely to be nasty, brutish, and short for the unfortunate residents caught in the crossfire.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And yet, the characteristics of these creatures are reflective of their respective cultures (Chinese dragons are often associated with rain and water).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Aside from the thrill of knowing such a magnificent creature lives literally with us, usually in peaceful co-existence, perhaps sets an example of how humans should behave.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Catrina Bell loves to write sweetie pie monsters who bring the heat.—
Meg Miller,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Essie Davis plays Amelia, who struggles to raise her 6-year-old son, Sam (Noah Wiseman), as he's tormented by the titular humanoid storybook monster.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brute. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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