brunt
C1Formal, semi-formal, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
The main force or impact of something unpleasant or damaging.
The principal burden, shock, or strain of an attack, criticism, or difficult situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'bear the brunt of' or 'take the brunt of'. It implies receiving the worst part of something negative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of force, impact, and negative burden.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British news and formal writing, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + bear/take/feel + the brunt + of + [Noun Phrase (attack/criticism/etc.)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bear the brunt of something”
- “take the brunt of something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe which department or region suffers most from budget cuts or market downturns.
Academic
Used in history, sociology, and economics to discuss which groups bore the worst effects of an event or policy.
Everyday
Used to talk about who suffers most in a difficult family situation or during bad weather.
Technical
Rare in hard sciences; occasionally used in meteorology or engineering to describe the point of greatest force.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The coastal towns bore the brunt of the hurricane.
- She had to bear the brunt of her parents' anger.
- Frontline healthcare workers took the brunt of the pressure during the pandemic.
- The marketing department will likely bear the brunt of the upcoming budget cuts.
- Historically, the peasantry bore the brunt of taxation while the aristocracy enjoyed exemptions.
- The new legislation is designed so that large corporations, not small businesses, feel the brunt of the environmental fines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BRUise from the main impaNT. You 'bear' it, like a burden.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGATIVE FORCE IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (bear the brunt, take the hit).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'грубость' (rudeness) or 'основная часть' (main part) without the negative connotation of impact. The closest is 'основной удар' or 'тяжесть'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without 'bear/take the... of' (e.g., 'He got the brunt' is incorrect). Confusing it with 'blunt'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'brunt' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'brunt' is only a noun. It is almost always used in the fixed phrases 'bear the brunt of' or 'take the brunt of'.
It is exclusively negative or neutral, referring to the worst part of something bad, like an attack, criticism, or disaster.
They are largely synonymous. 'Bear' slightly emphasises enduring a sustained burden, while 'take' can imply a more immediate impact. They are often interchangeable.
No, this is incorrect. 'Brunt' collocates only with negative or neutral events that have an impactful force (e.g., storm, criticism, attack, cost). It does not pair with positive nouns.