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Synonyms

bruiser

American  
[broo-zer] / ˈbru zər /

noun

Informal.

  1. a strong, tough person.

    The football player was over six feet tall and weighed 285 pounds—a real bruiser.
bruiser British  
/ ˈbruːzə /

noun

  1. informal a strong tough person, esp a boxer or a bully

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bruiser

First recorded in 1580–90; bruise + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The apple’s signature foamy texture means it is an easy bruiser and doesn’t store as well as other varieties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

"I've heard a lot about him," replied the Bok bruiser.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2025

The Chargers are expected to pound the ball with 238-pound bruiser Gus Edwards and reclamation project J.K.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

On that front, the tip of the spear is 7-foot bruiser Oumar Ballo, who averages 13 points and 10 rebounds a game, recording 33 putbacks this season, according to Hoop-Math.com.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

“What’s with those gloves he wears?” the bruiser asked.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.