Word
Definition
n. the main force or worst part of something bad, such as a storm or a problem.
n. the main force or impact of an adverse event or situation. Uncountable in this sense and almost exclusively used as the object of the verb 'bear'.
Examples
“The coastal towns bore the brunt of the storm.”
“Small businesses often bear the brunt of economic downturns because they have fewer cash reserves than large corporations.”
“While the entire department was criticized for the failure, the project manager had to bear the brunt of the board's anger during the annual review.”
Examples
simple
“The coastal towns bore the brunt of the storm.”
contextual
“Small businesses often bear the brunt of economic downturns because they have fewer cash reserves than large corporations.”
complex
“While the entire department was criticized for the failure, the project manager had to bear the brunt of the board's anger during the annual review.”
Usage
Usually appears in the phrase 'bear the brunt of'.
Teaching tip
While historically related to battle, modern usage is almost always metaphorical, referring to taxes, criticism, or weather.
Real-World Examples
“As with Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is expected to bear the brunt of Moke’s rain and heavy winds as it passes south of a direct hit late on Saturday and into Sunday.” “Hajio is one of many experiencing the brunt of these cuts.” Etymology
From Middle English brunt, bront (“sudden onset, attack, charge, blow”), from Old Norse brundr or brundtíð (“oestrus, rut”) (from Proto-Germanic *brunstiz), or bruna (“to rush”, literally “to advance like wildfire”) (see brenna).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Idioms
01. bear the brunt
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/brunt
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0