the worst part or chief impact of a specified thing, the main force of something unpleasant or harmful

take the brunt of something, feel the brunt of something, bear the brunt of something

Formal and Informal Expressions of brunt

In different contexts, you can replace 'brunt' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'impact, force' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'load, hit' is a commonplace synonym.

brunt: Explore its Definition & Usage

brunt Definition

1the worst part or chief impact of a specified thing
2the main force of something unpleasant or harmful

Using brunt: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brunt" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The brunt of the storm hit the coastal towns.
Example
The company's employees bore the brunt of the economic downturn.
Example
The refugees are bearing the brunt of the war's violence.

brunt Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for brunt

Antonyms for brunt

Phrases with brunt

take the brunt of something
to bear the main force or impact of something unpleasant or harmful
Example
The smaller companies took the brunt of the recession.
feel the brunt of something
to experience the worst part or chief impact of something
Example
The poor always feel the brunt of economic crises.
bear the brunt of something
to suffer the worst effects of something
Example
The children bore the brunt of their parents' divorce.

Origins of brunt

from Old English 'byrnan', meaning 'to burn'

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Summary: brunt in Brief

'Brunt' [brʌnt] refers to the worst part or chief impact of something unpleasant or harmful. It can be used to describe the main force of a storm, economic downturn, or war. Phrases like 'take the brunt of something' and 'feel the brunt of something' denote experiencing the worst part of something, while 'bear the brunt of something' implies suffering the worst effects.