1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
brutal hard labor in the hot sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cruel
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a brutal tyrant who drove his country to revolt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a coarse, brutal man who has no sense of what it means to be refined or sensitive or cultured
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brutal
Known for its seafood and offshore oil and gas, Plaquemines is also where an unknown rose withstood the brutal force of Hurricane Katrina.
—
Jessica Jordan, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
At the time, the brutal scene was met with immense backlash, especially since the scene isn't a scenario in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, which the series is based on.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 25 Aug. 2025
At the world’s southern edge, where nature is brutal and time stands still, hunters, herders and families endure the cold and solitude as ghosts roam the pampa.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
A day after a brutal collision with the railing near the camera well — and a camera — Freddy Fermin is back behind the plate and batting ninth in a lineup identical to Friday’s.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Jessica Jordan, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
At the time, the brutal scene was met with immense backlash, especially since the scene isn't a scenario in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, which the series is based on.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 25 Aug. 2025
At the world’s southern edge, where nature is brutal and time stands still, hunters, herders and families endure the cold and solitude as ghosts roam the pampa.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
A day after a brutal collision with the railing near the camera well — and a camera — Freddy Fermin is back behind the plate and batting ninth in a lineup identical to Friday’s.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brutal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal
Adjective
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Our test vehicle was also equipped with the aforementioned Precision Package, and while the suspension tuning is noticeably firmer than that of the standard Blackwing, its ride quality still isn’t as harsh as the latest M5 around town and out on the highway.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The series centers on a group of kids with latent or emerging special abilities who are subjected to cruel experiments at the mysterious institute of the title, along with a local cop (Ben Barnes) whose story intersects with that of the kids.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Aug. 2025
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Auggie isn’t a cruel, withholding bigot, but a stable and loving parent.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the end, what mattered was the balance of power and brute force.—
Hussein Agha,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
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There is more to Cunha’s game than the brute dimensions of his skeleton, however.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Trump, they aren’t charmed by the Kremlin’s tough guy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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If Hill is still an elite player, and tight end Darren Waller can produce half the production Jonnu Smith gave the Dolphins last year, the passing game will have a vicious bite.—
Omar Kelly
August 25,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
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That the show is a food-star factory is not exactly in the spirit of the bake-offs that inspired it, which were vicious routs among just-above-average home bakers, for almost no measurable reward.—
Ruby Tandoh,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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Oliver wants the world to perceive his authenticity—a funny, slightly searing character trait for a fictional rising pop star.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
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The contiguous United States has endured another searing summer.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brutal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutal. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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