brunt

Brunt is primarily used as a noun meaning the main force or impact of something, particularly the part that causes the most trouble or damage. It is commonly used with the verb bear, as in bear the brunt, or in phrases such as the brunt of the weather or the brunt of criticism. The expression conveys that a person or group suffers the largest share of an event, often after others have been spared or less affected.

In usage, the term appears across contexts, including weather events, social or economic pressures, and conflicts. It is often preceded by the definite article, as in the brunt of the storm, but can also appear in more abstract statements like they felt the brunt of budget cuts. The phrase helps distinguish the principal impact from secondary effects experienced by others.

As a surname, Brunt is found in English-speaking countries and is borne by individuals in various professions. It is most commonly encountered in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Australia. Notable people with the surname Brunt have appeared in public life in areas such as sports, academia, and the arts, though specific examples vary by era.

Because brunt exists chiefly as a common noun, most discussions focus on its usage and semantics rather than on distinct entities named Brunt. The idiom bear the brunt remains the standard expression for describing who suffers the principal impact of an event.