1
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
brute attacks on innocent civilians
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in feral
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
a man of brute instinct, he deals with conflict the only way he knows how—by physical force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in animal
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
2
as in villain
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
leave him alone, you brute!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brute
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
That kind of asymmetry hints at advanced hunting strategies, not just brute force.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Bay Hill was a brute before the round was halted for just over an hour because of heavy rain.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brute
Adjective
That asymmetry suggests sophisticated and adaptable behavior, not just brute strength.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
That kind of asymmetry hints at advanced hunting strategies, not just brute force.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
Bay Hill was a brute before the round was halted for just over an hour because of heavy rain.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brute
Adjective
-
In Oddity, Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) is driven entirely by grief over the brutal murder of her twin sister.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Demand for EVs in China is slowing after the government trimmed consumer subsidies and perks, and there’s no end in sight to a brutal price war as a crowded field of EV rivals jostle to outperform and undercut one another.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.—
Ellen Bass,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Ricky Gervais will be in attendance to give a masterclass as creator and director of Netflix’s Alley Cats, the adult animation following a group of feral cats who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life, accompanied by a sneak peek of the first two episodes.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Peters’ attorney claims his client followed instructions from a licensed airboat guide and said no animals were harmed.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Buc-ee's is taking a Georgia convenience store chain to federal court, accusing it of copying its famous beaver brand right down to the cartoon mascot, the color scheme, and the life-size animal statue out front.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Fisk, the villain, ultimately loses this battle.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Who’s the villain on your show?—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
This time playing an underling rather than a boss, Hoskins gave one of the best performances of his career in what remains a high point for Jordan as well, a lyrical and poignant yet savage film noir filled with regret, rage, and unrequited love.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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The famed African American journalist investigated lynchings across the South and wrote about the savage incidents that the white press had already explained away.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As young girls begin to go missing, Iris falls in with a shadowy, brutish painter Louis (George Webster) who promises her an education in the arts.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The people running things are nasty, brutish and eager to appeal to baser instincts rather than better angels.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
-
An eelpout is not a Minnesota expression of surprise but a nocturnal, eel-like creature, often the quarry of ice-fishers.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Not for Gage Goncalves, who set this thing in motion with a monster goal in overtime in the Lightning’s 1-0 Game 6 victory at the Bell Centre.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
The titular monsters in this anthology series tend to do well at the Emmys (Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez were both nominated).—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brute. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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