Drive back a strange brute (5)
I believe the answer is:
rebut
'drive back' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a strange brute' is the wordplay.
'a strange' is an anagram indicator.
'brute' with letters rearranged gives 'REBUT'.
(Other definitions for rebut that I've seen before include "Deny claim" , "Overthrow by argument or proof" , "Check" , "Prove to be false or incorrect" , "Disprove an accusation" .)