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 body itself was badly decomposed after spending an unknown amount of time exposed to the elements, with animals, bugs and rain, plus 50 years in storage.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Because the existing hole was too small, crews used a saw to cut a larger opening and lowered a ladder inside to give the animals an easy way out.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of animals

Noun

At the time of the arrest, many royal observers speculated about Harry and Meghan’s reaction, especially since they had often been portrayed as the family villains.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Aug. 2026
As baseball's new villains, the Dodgers' fate in October will be the most talked about storyline.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of villains

Noun

The seagrape trees and dunes offer a chance for wildlife lovers to spot plenty of birds along with other creatures that call these beaches home, and the water is exceptionally calm for an Atlantic shore.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
And then in Book 2, that attraction that the creatures have to him in the magical world of Gilmouria becomes stronger.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of creatures

Noun

There will be no B-movie monsters wearing terrible prosthetics, no scripts full of non sequiturs, no glitchy graphics.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
The monsters of the original — the Cyclops and the sirens — are replaced by drones that buzz across the stage and models of robotic war machines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of monsters

Noun

Above and below the main narrative of the Bayeux Tapestry are two strips filled with ancient beasts, including tail-chasing dogs and tightly knotted swans.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
The man wouldn’t sell for fear that the tiger might acquire a taste for his beasts and kill them all.

— Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of beasts

Noun

Operating system and browser updates regularly fix vulnerabilities that criminals may try to exploit.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Most crimes across Mexico went unsolved, and authorities sometimes appeared to be colluding with criminals instead of fighting them.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 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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brute

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“Brutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutes. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of brutes

noun

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