brute

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrüt 

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

• atrocious
• barbaric
• barbarous
• brutal
• butcherly
• cruel
• fiendish
• heartless
• inhuman
• inhumane
• sadistic
• savage
• truculent
• vicious
• wanton

Noun

• animal
• beast
• beastie
• creature
• critter

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

Adjective

Art isn't like chess, where the brute force of machine learning efficiency has made even the best human players relatively helpless. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 13 June 2024

How do players of competition-style games rely on brute force to gain allies, compared with Bravolebrities, who demand network loyalty, compared with a Bachelor who is out for blood? —Jen Chaney, Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 June 2024

Noun

Frustrated, the brute grabbed Silverglad and flung him to the sidewalk before running off. —Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2024

The real brutes are not those trying to defend the land, but the people seeking to destroy it. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Middle French brut rough, from Latin brutus brutish, literally, heavy; akin to Latin gravis heavy — more at grieve

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

brute

1 of 2 adjective

ˈbrüt 

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