brutal
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.bru·tal
adjective \ˈbrü-təl\Definition of BRUTAL
1
archaic : typical of beasts : animal
2
: befitting a brute: as a : grossly ruthless or unfeeling <a brutal slander> b : cruel, cold-blooded <a brutal attack> c : harsh, severe <brutal weather> d : unpleasantly accurate and incisive <the brutal truth> e : very bad or unpleasant <a brutal mistake>
— bru·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
See Examples of BRUTAL
- Sailors sometimes faced brutal punishments like whipping.
- a brutal struggle for survival in the wilderness
- The writer describes the dangers of drugs with brutal honesty.
- The movie is a brutal depiction of the war.
- The traffic was brutal on the way to work.
- I had a brutal headache this morning.
Origin of BRUTAL
Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin brutalis, from Latin brutus — more at brute
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to BRUTAL
Synonym Discussion of BRUTAL
brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct. brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity <a senseless and brutal war>. brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct <brutish stupidity>. bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts <bestial depravity>. feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals <the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses>.
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