brute

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrüt How to pronounce brute (audio)
Synonyms of brutenext
1
: of or relating to beasts
the ways of the brute world
2
: inanimate sense 1a
a brute object
3
: characteristic of an animal in quality, action, or instinct: such as
a
: cruel, savage
brute violence
b
: not working by reason
brute instinct
4
: purely physical
brute strength
brute force
5
: unrelievedly harsh
brute facts
brute necessity

brute

2 of 2

noun

1
: beast
2
: one who lacks intelligence, sensitivity, or compassion : a brutal person

Synonyms

Adjective

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of brute in a Sentence

Adjective They used brute force to open the door. the brute fact of getting old Noun Let go of me, you brute! it is a fundamental sense of right and wrong that separates us from the brutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Vea is a challenge for a 49ers’ offensive line that depends on agility, angles and leverage rather than brute force under the instruction of run game coordinator/line coach Chris Foerster. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024 Regardless of Tuesday's outcome, Trump's cultural influence has reshaped the country's political landscape by brute force. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
When searching for reprieve, there’s sanctuary in a movie musical that looks like a Broadway smash, a Colosseum full of vintage brutes, a Harry Styles simile. —Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024 The Penguin's Falcone is every bit the misogynistic brute, but his actions are relegated to the off-screen imagination by being implied, rather than shown. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brute 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English brut "like an animal, not human," borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from Latin brūtus "heavy, inert, devoid of intelligence or feeling, brutish," going back to Indo-European *gwr̥h2-u-to-, derivative of a base *gwerh2-u- "heavy" — more at grave entry 2

Note: Latin brūtus, with b- representing Indo-European *gw-, is taken to be a loan from another Italic language, presumably Oscan. The literal sense "heavy" was largely lost, though compare brūtum pondus "dead weight" in Lucretius, and the grammarian Festus's comment that "the ancients said brutus for gravis ['heavy']" ("brutum antiqui gravem dicebant").

Noun

derivative of brute entry 1, perhaps after Medieval Latin brūtum "brute animal"

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brute was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near brute

brutalness

brute

brute-force

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Brute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brute. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

brute

1 of 2 adjective
ˈbrüt How to pronounce brute (audio)
1
: of or relating to beasts
2
: typical of beasts : like that of a beast
brute force
brute strength

brute

2 of 2 noun
1
: animal entry 1 sense 2a
2
: a brutal person

More from Merriam-Webster on brute

Nglish: Translation of brute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of brute for Arabic Speakers

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