brute
gb/bɹˈut/ us/bɹˈut/
B2
English
~ 4800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
Cruel, violent person
A person who is very mean and hurts others without care.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a brute
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'brute' with 'beast' in all contexts; 'brute' usually refers to a person's cruel nature rather than just an animal.
Synonyms
bully (Suggests someone who intimidates or hurts weaker people, often repeatedly.)
|
thug (Implies a violent criminal or gangster.)
Antonyms
gentleman (Suggests a polite and considerate man, opposite of a cruel person.)
|
kind person (Describes someone caring and compassionate instead of cruel.)
Collocations
mindless brute
|violent brute
|big brute
|heartless brute
Themes
people
|violence
|character
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The guard was a brute who enjoyed frightening the prisoners.
- Don't be such a brute—she was only trying to help.
- The film's villain is portrayed as a heartless brute.
Learner examples
- My brother can be a brute when he is angry.
- The man was a brute to the dog.
- He acted like a brute to his friends.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Large, strong animal
A big and strong animal that may be dangerous.
Synonyms
beast (A general term for an animal, often large and wild.)
Antonyms
pet (A tame animal kept for companionship, opposite of a dangerous or wild brute.)
Collocations
wild brute
|huge brute
|powerful brute
Themes
animals
|nature
Examples
- The hunters were tracking a huge brute through the forest.
- That brute nearly knocked me over when it ran past.
- The farmer struggled to control the stubborn brute.
Learner examples
- The brute ran into the field.
- A big brute lives in the jungle.
- The brute is strong and wild.
adjective
B2
property
3
Using force without thought
Using power without thinking carefully.
Usage pattern:
brute [force/strength]
Synonyms
rough (Implies lack of gentleness or refinement, though not always as extreme as 'brute'.)
Antonyms
skilled (Implies using ability and precision rather than raw force.)
Collocations
brute force
|brute strength
Themes
violence
|methods
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The door was opened using brute force.
- They relied on brute strength rather than strategy.
- Brute force won't solve this problem.
Learner examples
- He used brute force to open the box.
- We need more than brute strength to win.
- Brute force broke the lock.
Grammar
Dictionary form
brute
IPA
GB/bɹˈut/
US/bɹˈut/
Syllables & stress
brute (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (brute)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: brute
Noun
- Base: brute
- Plural: brutes
Word family
Forms
brutes
noun
Core family
Related words
brutalize
verb
Advanced or less common
brutish
adjective
Expressions
brute force
1/bɹˈut fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
Use of raw physical power
Using only physical power to do something, without skill or planning.
Examples
- They got the door open with brute force.
- Brute force alone won't win the game.
you brute!
1/jˈu bɹˈut ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
Calling someone cruel or rough
Said when you think someone has been mean or rough.
Examples
- You brute! How could you do that to her?
- Stop pulling my hair, you brute!