Brother — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Brother (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. a male connected with another person by a common parent

   "When was the last time you called your brother?"

   similar: sibling, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, cousin, kinsman, kinswoman, relation, relative, in-law, kissing cousin, blood, clan, family, folk, house, kindred, kinfolk, kinsfolk, line, lineage, people, stock, tribe
   opposite: nonrelative

2. a member of a religious community of men

   "He was loved and respected among his brothers at the monastery."

   similar: friar, mendicant, monastic, monk, oblate, clergyperson, cleric, clerical, clerk, deacon, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, high priest, minister, preacher, reverend, abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean, diocesan, monsignor, pope, prelate, presbyter, churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe (slang), padre, abbé, curate, curé, parson, pastor, rector, shepherd, vicar, chaplain, confessor, sky pilot, evangelist, missionary, missioner, missionizer, revivalist, nun, abbess, anchoress, cloistress (obsolete), conventual, mother superior, novice, prioress, Reverend Mother, religious, votary (archaic), clergywoman, deaconess, high priestess, priestess
   opposite: lay reader, lector, layman, layperson, secular

3. a man with whom one feels a sense of solidarity

   "As veterans, we support our brothers and sisters in the military."

   similar: comrade, alter ego, amigo, buddy, chum, compadre, confidant, confidante, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, mate (chiefly British), musketeer, pal, acquaintance, associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, partner, peer, sport, blood brother, main man, sister, abettor, accomplice, ally, collaborator, confederate, pen pal, benefactor, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher, friendly
   opposite: adversary, antagonist, competitor, opponent, rival, archenemy, nemesis, enemy, foe