beast

beast

noun \ˈbēst\

Definition of BEAST

1

a : a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate

b : a lower animal as distinguished from a human being

c : an animal as distinguished from a plant

d : an animal under human control

2

: a contemptible person

3

: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

Examples of BEAST

1. dogs and other four-footed beasts
2. the birds and beasts of the forest
3. They were attacked by a savage beast.
4. He's a cruel, hateful beast!

Origin of BEAST

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BEAST

Synonyms

baddie (or baddy), villain, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

Related Words

villainess; blackguard; criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor; sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer; cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper; bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw; con, convict, jailbird; assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug; rough, rowdy, tough; loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash

Near Antonyms

angel, innocent, saint; hero

Other Zoology Terms

altruism, integument

Rhymes with BEAST

east, feast, fleeced, least, piste, priest, reest, triste, yeast