brunt
/brʌnt
/noun (the brunt)
The worst part or chief impact of a specified action: education will bear the brunt of the cuts...
- The van bore the brunt of the impact and skidded over forty yards into a stone wall following the collision.
- Many of those trapped and injured were in the front first-class carriage, which took the brunt of the impact.
- The front left-hand side of the bus bore the brunt of the impact and its passenger door was destroyed.
Synonyms
full force, force, impact, shock, burden, pressure, strain, stress, impetus, thrust, weight, violence;
effect, repercussions, consequences
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting a blow or an attack, also the force or shock of something): of unknown origin.