as in brutality
the manifestation of the traits or the gratification of the appetites of a lower animal
a novel depicting the brutishness to which a group of schoolboys descend when they are stranded on a deserted island
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Recent Examples of brutishness
Generations of agents, therefore, have had to walk a line between bookishness and brutishness.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
But the brutishness has merely relocated, to places far more dangerous.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Likewise, young Waller proves a revelation, capable of communicating Danny’s vulnerability and brutishness on the turn of a dime.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
But the brutishness has merely relocated, to places far more dangerous.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Likewise, young Waller proves a revelation, capable of communicating Danny’s vulnerability and brutishness on the turn of a dime.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutishness
brutality
Noun
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Yet, while Munro’s denial was a horrible violence, Fremlin’s deplorable acts were the original brutality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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Nominations in the news, public service and radio/podcast categories span networks, from PBS to ABC and NBC News, with topics ranging from the Los Angeles wildfires to the war in Gaza, immigration and police brutality.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brutishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutishness. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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