Brute | Definition of brute by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of BRUTE

1

: of or relating to beasts <the ways of the brute world>

2

: inanimate 1a

3

: characteristic of an animal in quality, action, or instinct: 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>

See brute defined for English-language learners

See brute defined for kids

Origin of BRUTE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to BRUTE

Synonyms: atrocious, barbaric, barbarous, brutal, cruel, butcherly, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton

Antonyms: benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted

Rhymes with BRUTE

boot, bruit, brut, bute, Bute, butte, chute, cloot, coot, cute, flute, fruit, glout, glute, hoot, jute, Jute, loot, lute, moot, mute, newt, pood, root, Root, rout, route, scoot, scute, shoot, snoot, soot, suit, suite, toot, tout, ut, Ute

Full Definition of BRUTE

1

: beast

2

: a brutal person

See brute defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of BRUTE

1611

Related to BRUTE

Synonyms: beast, beastie, animal, creature, critter

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

: typical of beasts : like that of a beast <We used brute force to open the door.>

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

1

: a four-footed animal especially when wild

2

: a cruel or rough person

Learn More About BRUTE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "brute"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "brute"

Nglish: Translation of "brute" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "brute" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: brute–forcePrevious Word in the Dictionary: brutalnessAll Words Near: brute

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up brute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

¹brute

Full Definition of BRUTE

Origin of BRUTE

Related to BRUTE

Rhymes with BRUTE

²brute

Full Definition of BRUTE

First Known Use of BRUTE

Related to BRUTE

¹brute

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

²brute

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

Learn More About BRUTE

Browse

Seen & Heard

1brute

Full Definition of BRUTE

Origin of BRUTE

Related to BRUTE

Rhymes with BRUTE

2brute

Full Definition of BRUTE

First Known Use of BRUTE

Related to BRUTE

1brute

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

2brute

Definition of BRUTE for Kids

Learn More About BRUTE

Browse

Seen & Heard

¹brute

²brute

¹brute

²brute