BRUTES Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

brutes

noun

plural of brute

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

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as in villains

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 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

Noun

The heat has also caused mass losses of livestock since late May, with more than 493,000 animals having died, including pigs, poultry, and fish, according to South Korean authorities.

— Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Spanning five acres of land, this remote residence has plenty of room for everyone (humans and animals) to stretch their legs after a long drive.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of animals

Noun

Still, bonus points for casting Chukwudi Iwuji as the menacing High Evolutionary, one of the oddest and most unsettling Marvel villains in recent memory.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
This trend suggests a need for new, effective villains to balance the roster.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of villains

Noun

Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
With its spectacular imagery of bioluminescent creatures, not to mention a giant squid measuring somewhere between 2-4 storeys tall, this is a film that demands to be seen on the big screen.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of creatures

Noun

But Kova is shocked to discover her sweetheart taking up with someone new, who may be linked to the monsters dragging Stormwatch’s inhabitants into the ocean.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
For additional context, the war against the Locust kicks off only a few weeks after the 79-year conflict between human factions known as the Pendulum Wars, which explains why the COG wasn't in the best of conditions when the monsters attacked.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of monsters

Noun

That gives criminals several ways to target you, even when your Paidwork balance was nearly empty.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Cyber criminals are using highly convincing counterfeit audio, video, and identity fabrications as tools in ways that conventional detection methods will fail to identify.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of criminals

Noun

In 2025, two Tasmanian devils arrived at the Australian Outback exhibit.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Tasmanian devils suffer from Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a highly fatal cancer spread by biting, which has devastated their population and surprisingly arose twice.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of devils

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“Brutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutes. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of brutes

noun

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