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
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Recent Examples of brutes
That’s happened in several Mid Atlantic rivers, but in the absence of larger brutes like blues and flathead, channels will thrive and can break the 15-pound mark.
—
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 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
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 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
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Walker Farm While no injuries were reported, the owners of the barn say all but one of the animals that had been in the barn during the fire died, including two Great Pyrenees and one corgi.—
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Thousands of other animals, including sea turtles, birds and dolphins, were also killed and harmed in that disaster.—
Kristen Monsell,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Design There’s a reason James Bond villains chase 007’s Aston Martin in fleets of black Defenders.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In the two-parter, which airs April 14 (8PM – 10 PM), the series’ central character, Amy (Molly Parker) will risk her life for one of the series’ main villains, Richard (Scott Wolf), who had killed a patient, tried to cover it up and blamed it on Amy, almost ending her career.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Make Sure Your Problem Is Gophers Gophers are not the only tunneling creatures that can make a mess of your lawn.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Then there are the creatures that love to feast on the fruits, like squirrels, birds, and deer.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This notion was based on outdated presumptions of hillforts as being occupied by violent, prehistoric savages.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Or Irish, in a time when they were seen as savages by the Englishmen?—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The nonlinear experience will feature show moments with each of the four monsters and a finale with a different ending every night.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Explore this gallery of ghastly classic movie monsters.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Expect to encounter other magical creatures and fantastic beasts along the way.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The zoo christened the beasts Gaston and Kathrin in the Glocks’ honor.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scheme is designed to identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, and to police the EU's limit on 90-day stays within a 180-day period, according to the European Commission.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
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Rex Heuermann, the man known as the Gilgo Beach killer, admitted to killing eight women over a span of decades, and the FBI is now looking into what motivated the 62-year-old to carry out his crimes to help capture other criminals in the future.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other propaganda compared Native people to buffalo, cats, dogs, and devils.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
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There are sounds and shadows in the forest; the Devil, or devils, may be walking the earth.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutes. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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