When it comes to describing a situation where someone is facing the full force or impact of something, there are many useful synonyms to consider. For example, you might say that someone is "enduring the worst of" a negative situation, or "weathering the storm" of a difficult challenge. Another option is to say that a person is "shouldering the burden" of a particular responsibility or task, or that they are "absorbing the impact" of a difficult event. Ultimately, there are many different ways to describe someone who is bearing the brunt of something, each with its own shades of meaning and nuance.