Brute: meaning, definitions and examples

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brute

[bruːt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

forceful

A brutal person or animal is cruel and violent.

Synonyms

cruel, inhuman, savage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brute	Often used to describe someone or something that is rough, violent, or lacking sensitivity. It can refer to an animalistic or uncultured person. He behaved like a brute, smashing everything in his path. The brute force of the storm destroyed several houses.
cruel	Used to describe actions or people that cause pain and suffering intentionally. It indicates a lack of compassion or empathy. It was cruel to leave the dog out in the cold all night. She made several cruel remarks about his weight.
savage	Used to describe someone who is extremely violent and uncontrolled. It can also refer to something wild and natural, though often with negative connotations related to brutality. The savage attack left the victim seriously injured. He has a savage temper that scares everyone.
inhuman	Used in situations where someone’s behavior is so cruel and severe that it seems beyond the normal capacity of human empathy or morality. It can also refer to something that lacks human qualities. The conditions in the prison were inhuman. His inhuman treatment of the workers was condemned by human rights groups.

Examples of usage

The brutal murder of innocent civilians shocked the nation.
The brutal dictator ruled with an iron fist.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

forceful

A brute is a man who is rough and violent.

Synonyms

bully, ruffian, thug.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brute	Used to describe someone who is very strong and rough, often without any consideration for others' feelings. Can also refer to a wild animal. He acted like a brute, smashing everything in his path. The lion is a majestic brute in the wild.
thug	A word used to describe a violent criminal or gangster, often associated with organized crime. Carries a strongly negative connotation. The thug threatened him with a knife. They were caught by the police after robbing a store, labeled as thugs by the media.
bully	Refers to a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable. Generally, it has a negative connotation. The schoolyard bully took his lunch money every day. She felt powerless against the online bully's attacks.
ruffian	Implied to describe a rough, lawless person, often involved in crime or violence. Has an old-fashioned or literary tone. The ruffian was arrested for causing a disturbance at the pub. The story’s hero had to outsmart a group of ruffians.

Examples of usage

He was a brute who used his strength to intimidate others.
The brute threw his weight around in the bar.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

forceful

To brute force means to solve a problem or test a system by trying every possible option until the correct one is found, often using a computer program.

Synonyms

exhaustive search, guessing, trial and error.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brute	Used to describe someone who is very strong but not gentle; often used in a negative way to refer to lack of intelligence or sensitivity. The brute force of the wrestler was unmatched in the ring. He acted like a brute when he pushed everyone to get to the front of the line.

Word

Description / Examples

brute

Used to describe someone who is very strong but not gentle; often used in a negative way to refer to lack of intelligence or sensitivity.

The brute force of the wrestler was unmatched in the ring.
He acted like a brute when he pushed everyone to get to the front of the line.

Examples of usage

The hacker attempted to brute force the password to gain access to the system.
The encryption was secure against brute force attacks.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'brutus', meaning 'heavy' or 'dull', reflecting a lack of thoughtfulness.
First used in English in the 14th century, it initially described animals and later extended to people.
In older languages, similar roots often described things that were natural or instinctive, emphasizing raw power.

Cultural References

In literature, characters described as brutes often symbolize unchecked power and aggression, like certain villains in classic novels.
The term is frequently used in movies and media to depict archetypes of strength, such as tough fighters or gangster characters.
Famous artworks sometimes portray strong, muscular figures as brutes to explore themes of power and violence.

Psychology

People often connect brute strength with a lack of intelligence due to stereotypes, which can affect social perceptions.
Research shows that individuals viewed as brutes may evoke fear or admiration due to their physical presence rather than their actions.
Brute characters in stories can represent internal conflicts, showcasing the struggle between strength and gentleness.

Pop Culture

Brute characters, such as the Hulk from Marvel comics, embody both physical power and personal struggles, appealing to fans worldwide.
In video games, players often encounter brute-like characters requiring different strategies to overcome, adding depth to gameplay.
Reality shows sometimes feature individuals who embody brute traits, sparking discussions about behavior and societal norms.

Translations

Translations of the word "brute" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bruto

🇮🇳 क्रूर (krūr)

🇩🇪 brutal

🇮🇩 kasar

🇺🇦 грубий

🇵🇱 brutalny

🇯🇵 残忍 (zanninn)

🇫🇷 brutal

🇪🇸 bruto

🇹🇷 vahşi

🇰🇷 잔인한 (janinhan)

🇸🇦 وحشي (wahshi)

🇨🇿 brutální

🇸🇰 brutálny

🇨🇳 残忍 (cánrěn)

🇸🇮 brutalen

🇮🇸 grófur

🇰🇿 жабайы

🇬🇪 მძიმე (mdzime)

🇦🇿 kobud

🇲🇽 bruto

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,358, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11355 champagne
11356 threaded
11357 acquaintances
11358 brute
11359 morbidity
11360 trustworthy
11361 thickly
...