noun
brunt
BRUNT/brʌnt/
The main force or burden of something unpleasant.
The breakwater bears the brunt of the storm wave, sheltering the boat behind it.
Etymology
Brunt first meant a sharp blow. It then came to mean the chief force or worst part of something—the damaging impact someone bears.
In context
Luckily, no one aboard the train was injured, likely due to the bus taking the brunt of the impact.
More examples
- Junior staff took the brunt of the criticism.
- The shield absorbed the brunt of the blow.
- Small shops felt the brunt of the road closure.
Forms
brunt
Similar words
- impact
- Any effect or force, while brunt is its main or heaviest share.