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brutes

noun

plural of brute
1
as in animals
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 brutes These brutes commonly exceed 50 pounds. — Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026 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 Credit to producers Tim Zinnemann and George Linder for selecting a veritable array of brutes to wage battle with Arnold. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025 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 Some are slow and heavy brutes that have tons of health while others are slightly but deal more damage. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutes
  1. animals
  2. villains
  3. creatures
  4. savages
  5. monsters
  6. beasts
  7. criminals
  8. devils
Noun
  • The fourth, the Indian rhinoceros, is vulnerable, its habitat shrinking rapidly as fragmented and isolated population groups spread across a shattered landscape littered with invasive plant species poisonous to the animals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Along the way, guides share insights, and tours will stay in habitats longer when the animals are active and playing together or eating.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of animals
Noun
  • The way it’s framed, both the heroes and the villains can only come from the tech community.
    — Rumman Chowdhury, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • There aren’t any villains here, just young people making young people mistakes and older people making older people mistakes.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of villains
Noun
  • Tiny creatures like crabs and ants traveled huge distances, encountering all sorts of dangers—driven by the instinct to lay eggs and reproduce at any cost.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The sensational international rescue of the famously sentient creatures, replete with colossal cargo planes, huge crates and Shedd staffers working in the dead of night to transport and care for the whales, must have looked made for social media.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of creatures
Noun
  • And potentially discover treasure that will keep the savages at home from tearing the place down.
    — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Or a group of shipwrecked boys turning into savages and killing one another?
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Definition of savages
Noun
  • They’re rooted in a time and place that feels all too real, and this allows the monsters to parade their primitive might in a way that means something.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The poet, Pavese implies, is a creature of Chaos—that anarchic state in which good is mixed with bad and monsters mingle with men and gods.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of monsters
Noun
  • The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery (7 miles north of San Simeon) remains full of massive, delightfully noisy beasts.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Ridley Scott was that rarest of beasts in Hollywood, a guy who could make one riveting blockbuster after another while maintaining absolute creative integrity.
    — Jimmy Chin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of beasts
Noun
  • Removing violent criminals, gang members, cartel members and those who refuse to work is wise and popular policy.
    — Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Americans have demonized us as criminals, buffoons, lechers, invaders, criminals and job stealers since the fall of the Alamo.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of criminals
Noun
  • Researchers have also documented the phenomenon in dogs, Tasmanian devils, and some kinds of clams and other shellfish.
    — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025, two Tasmanian devils arrived at the Australian Outback exhibit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of devils

Browse Nearby Words

brute
brutes
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Cite this Entry

“Brutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutes. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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