bestial

bes·tial

adjective \ˈbes-chəl, ˈbesh-, ˈbēs-, ˈbēsh-\

Definition of BESTIAL

1

a : of or relating to beasts

b : resembling a beast

2

a : lacking intelligence or reason

b : marked by base or inhuman instincts or desires : brutal

— bes·tial·ize \-chə-ˌlīz\ transitive verb

— bes·tial·ly \-chə-lē\ adverb

Examples of BESTIAL

1. <investigators were appalled by the degree of bestial debauchery depicted in the pornographic materials>

Origin of BESTIAL

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin bestialis, from bestia beast

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BESTIAL

Synonyms

animalistic, beastly, brutal, brute, brutish, feral, ferine, subhuman, swinish

Related Words

animal, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, physical, sensual; barbaric, barbarous, cruel, heartless, inhumane, sadistic, savage, vicious, wanton; coarse, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, lowbred, rude, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unrefined, vulgar

Near Antonyms

chivalrous, elevated, gallant, great, greathearted, high, high-minded, lofty, lordly, magnanimous, noble, sublime; angelic (or angelical), spiritual; beneficent, benevolent, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly, softhearted, tenderhearted; cultivated, cultured, genteel, polished, refined, well-bred

See Synonym Discussion at brutal