brute 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrüt How to pronounce brute (audio)
Definition of brutenext
1
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others brute attacks on innocent civilians

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

brute

2 of 2

noun

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

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2
as in villain
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person leave him alone, you brute!

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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 brute
Adjective
Even the herculean efforts to acquire capabilities for the conflict with Iran largely amounted to a collection of waivers, special actions, and brute-force leadership. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Rather than continuing to work to legitimize her rule through support for the common people per Mysaria's counsel, Rhaenyra opted for the show of brute force Daemon has been all too eager to lead the charge on. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
Even the consumer-level codes that encrypt your online banking are so hard to break that every computer on the planet working together would need longer than the age of the universe to brute-force them apart. — David M. Ewalt, Scientific American, 19 May 2026 Oscillating between a bumbling brute and an ironic ignoramus, Marvel Studios sees the God of Thunder more like the God of Blunder, kicking out the knees of the steady 2011 film in favour of single-digit IQ humour. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for brute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brute
  1. brutal
  2. feral
  3. animal
  4. villain
  5. savage
  6. brutish
  7. creature
  8. monster
Adjective
  • When everything changed, as the dust literally settled on the most brutal terror attack on United States soil, the prevailing impulse among NFL owners was to play the games.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The cuts and the freezing of public funding for the film industry have been brutal for Argentine cinema.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • Such contradictions, that cats can be both domesticated and yet somewhat feral, is part of their appeal, says comedian Drennon Davis, whose four cats have found internet fame via his short-form videos.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • After that feral beginning, the rest of the album is mostly contemplative, wistful, and understated, amid cascading guitars and various sounds that are at times acoustic or gently swirling.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of feral
Noun
  • The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas.
    — River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Gaspafotos/Getty Images His team selection against Forest suggests the head coach is cognizant of Tottenham’s declining effectiveness as a set-piece animal.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • There are no villains in Possible Love; there are only people who are aware of others, and people who are not.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The former Democratic speaker was the longtime villain, a mainstay in ads as Republicans linked Democratic candidates to her to paint them as radical and out of touch.
    — James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of villain
Adjective
  • Bryan Singer’s ingenious thriller is both a graceful callback to ’50s potboilers and a savage modernization of them.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Cole, who has to maneuver his way around 20 savage crew members, each of whom will need to be killed, doesn’t waste a homicidal movement.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • Anna, the film suggests, admires her husband warts and all, perhaps because there’s an enticing authenticity in all his inadequacies and brutish ways.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • His brutish boys are programmed to decimate any target in sight.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of brutish
Noun
  • More than 600 creatures are pictured, including horses, bison, deer, and aurochs, making the Lascaux caves one of the most concentrated showcases of cave art in existence.
    — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 10, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Barbara Cartland, like most successful writers, was a creature of routine.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Similarly, Zo — seen recently as the monster hunter in Na Hong-jin’s delirious sci-fi action epic, Hope — stays for most of the running time just the right side of smug entitlement.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Having created this monster, Hansen now has to feed it; going up against Lost, To Catch a Predator needs to best itself every week.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of monster

Browse Nearby Words

brutally
brute
brutes
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Cite this Entry

“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brute. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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