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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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 brute
Adjective
There is a fallacy in thinking of languages as brute and unchanging facts, laid out distinctly like elements in the periodic table. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Algorithmic brute force — sending every task to a frontier model — is the most expensive habit in the building. — Sumeet Agrawal, Fortune, 20 July 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
  • What follows is a brutal fight for survival against aggressive, hungry, and carnivorous dinosaurs who quickly turn the community's previously idyllic streets into their own personal feeding ground.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The company's earnings should also benefit from a better freight cycle, which has shown signs of improvement after a brutal multiyear recession that began in 2022.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • The City of Ripon is moving forward with an ordinance aimed at protecting an endangered species by prohibiting people from feeding feral cats and stray animals on public property.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The game starts with a flashback 30 years ago to a feral, filthy Wolverine who’s living alone in the wilderness.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of feral
Noun
  • The animals are safe, but their home took a direct hit that left parts of the zoo unrecognizable.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Without the proper tools on site, animal services had to take it back to the shelter and flood the helmet to flush the snake out.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • The second is the idea that this is where Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch returns to the MCU after being seemingly killed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she had been turned into a full villain.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But because Detroit chose the offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Skubal has unwittingly become a villain around the league.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of villain
Adjective
  • The savage battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had already demonstrated the ferocity with which Japanese forces would defend their homeland.
    — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The lifestyle mogul made a savage comment about Meghan Markle in a cover story for PEOPLE on Wednesday, calling out her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • Anthony Hernandez toils in the brutish profession that is a mixed martial arts fighter, no wimps allowed.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Heavy-duty mechanical hinges connect titanium-alloy limbs to a protective casing of carbon fiber, enabling smooth, deliberate strides on brutish red legs.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of brutish
Noun
  • The the world’s largest mountain range and deepest canyon occupy these might waters, but warming waters and habitat destruction have left the ocean‘s creatures struggling.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026
  • No other compound can unlock as much energy—and any creature that goes without O2 has to make do with less.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • At the same time, Bernadette makes her potion and turns into a 60-foot monster, destroying Pasadena.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Major oil and gas companies around the world posted monster second-quarter profits last week amid the Iran conflict's surge in crude prices.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 7 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of brute for Spanish Speakers

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