brunt

noun

ˈbrənt 

1

: the principal force, shock, or stress (as of an attack)

bear the brunt of the storm

the brunt of the struggle with the German army fell upon the Russians

—Walter Lippmann

2

: the greater part : burden

Synonyms

• body
• bulk
• chief
• core
• generality
• heft [archaic]
• main
• mass
• staple
• weight

Examples of brunt in a Sentence

the brunt of the responsibility fell on her shoulders

Recent Examples on the Web

Since, as has often been noted in The Baltimore Sun, this project will mostly benefit Virginia’s power-hungry data centers, why should Maryland residents bear the brunt? —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024

Those with the fewest resources to adapt, who did the least to cause the climate crisis, will bear the brunt. —Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024

Lake Michigan bore the full brunt of the southwest gales, causing extensive damage and leaving many vessels grounded. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024

For retailers, these tariffs would likely translate into significant price hikes across a wide range of everyday goods, and consumers would ultimately bear the brunt. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brunt

• the brunt of

Kids Definition

brunt

noun

ˈbrənt 

: the main force or stress (as of an attack)

the brunt of the storm