Phrase guide

brute force

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /bɹuːt ˈfɔːs/
  • General-American: /bɹut ˈfɔɹs/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A method of accomplishing something primarily by means of strength, without the use of great skill, mechanical aids or thought.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • We lifted the car by brute force.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A method of computation wherein the computer is let to try all permutations of a problem until one is found that provides a solution, in contrast to the implementation of a more intelligent algorithm.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: computer, computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, science, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To solve (a computational problem) by brute force.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To break a password, encryption, or any other protection mechanism by brute force.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 蠻力 /蛮力 (mánlì) — method of accomplishing something
  • Chinese Mandarin: 力大磚飛 /力大砖飞 — method of accomplishing something
  • Finnish: raaka voima — method of accomplishing something
  • French: manière forte — method of accomplishing something
  • Japanese: 馬鹿力 (bakajikara) — method of accomplishing something
  • Polish: brutalna siła — method of accomplishing something
  • Russian: гру́бая си́ла (grúbaja síla) — method of accomplishing something
  • Spanish: fuerza bruta — method of accomplishing something
  • Turkish: kaba kuvvet — method of accomplishing something
  • Esperanto: burtforta metodo — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Finnish: raaka voima — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Finnish: väsytyshyökkäys — computing: method of solving a problem
  • French: force brute — computing: method of solving a problem
  • French: brute force — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Japanese: 総当たり (sōatari) — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Polish: atak brute force — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Polish: atak siłowy — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Russian: по́лный перебо́р (pólnyj perebór) — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Spanish: fuerza bruta — computing: method of solving a problem
  • Swedish: råstyrka — computing: method of solving a problem