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
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
While Ukraine and its Western backers haggle over how much more of Donbas Kyiv should surrender, the land Russia has already captured by brute force is barely mentioned at all.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
This freshly re-imagined Jag is worlds apart from that old German brute, but was similar in the sense of feeling wonderfully light and responsive, and utilizing hydraulic fluid to power its steering.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brute
Adjective
Unlike Figure 02, which weighs around 154 pounds (70 kg) and carries up to 44 pounds (20 kg) for industrial use, ALLEX prioritizes finesse and safety over brute strength, while still being a great option for industries.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025
While Ukraine and its Western backers haggle over how much more of Donbas Kyiv should surrender, the land Russia has already captured by brute force is barely mentioned at all.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The novel is often rhapsodic about its alpha brutes, but, toward the end, Frey turns the tables.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
This freshly re-imagined Jag is worlds apart from that old German brute, but was similar in the sense of feeling wonderfully light and responsive, and utilizing hydraulic fluid to power its steering.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brute
Adjective
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Even for those in the North who didn’t care a damn for the four million held in brutal bondage, or those who wanted a soft, conciliatory approach, the war began to take on new and moral meaning.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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The trailer also showcases several brutal fights, an over-flowing oil emergency at the patch, a car accident, and Cami paying witness to two men taking down a third individual with their guns drawn.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There is something feral in the onrush of Marlowe’s verse, with the gleam of bared teeth daring us to laugh.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Some of the most notable included the iconic bell tower, the central fountain, the roaming pack of feral cats, and the massive gingko trees that loomed over a section of the academic quad and carpeted the sidewalks with golden leaves each fall.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These cutting agents, including potent synthetic opioids and animal tranquilizers, increase the risk of fatal overdoses.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Public Investigator looks into the legal protections and qualifications for emotional support animals in Wisconsin.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vineland’s repressive villain Brock Vond ends ferried to hell by two Eastside vatos locos, while the hippie father Zoyd reunites with his daughter at an anarchist family picnic.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
-
There are villains in every episode and the story uses them to showcase some societal issues.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Meursault also starts hanging out with his shady and brutish French neighbor, Raymond (Pierre Lottin), whose abusive relationship with an Algerian girl (Hajar Bouzaouit) eventually leads to the murder.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
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With trigger-warning culture on the wane and a brutish permissiveness creeping back into society, corporate scolds have lost much of their power.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When the creature eventually gets munched on by a bigger fish, the concentration of DDT in the new predator's bloodstream only heightens.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
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Complicating matters is several of the lethal alien creatures on board, including a xenomorph-spawning facehugger, escape from their confines and pick off the crew one by one until Morrow is the sole survivor.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth and prominent eyes.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Four years later, when Pop Mart began selling Labubus on key rings, the toothy monsters began to be seen everywhere — and the phenomenon really has taken off lately.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brute. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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