brute-force

adjective

: relying on or achieved through the application of force, effort, or power in usually large amounts instead of more efficient, carefully planned, or precisely directed methods
… in fighting cancer they will substitute precisely targeted "magic bullets" for the present brute-force and often risky techniques of radiation and chemical therapy.Gene Bylinsky, Fortune, 27 Apr. 1987
Until now, the only way to gain faster performance has been to spin the disk faster. This brute-force approach, however, is limited.S. Jae Yang et al., PC Magazine, 1 Sept. 1998

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brute-force was in 1902

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near brute-force

Cite this Entry

“Brute-force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brute-force. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!