as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
an apocalyptic sci-fi classic in which a lone drifter fights to avoid the bestial existence lived by the mass of survivors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bestial
Despite bestial brutality and life-limiting economic and social injustices made legal—some existing still—our foreparents clung fiercely to their humanity and envisioned ours.
—
Essence, 25 June 2025
Pent-up emotions, regrets, and bestial longings all burst forth in an expansive baritone whose confident quietism distinguishes him from other wispier alt-centric brooders like Daniel Caesar.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Pain was also inflicted on the dog deliberately during these bestial acts.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
While her passion for her husband is tame, her screams for Dickinson’s character are bestial and overwhelming.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bestial
Essence, 25 June 2025
Pent-up emotions, regrets, and bestial longings all burst forth in an expansive baritone whose confident quietism distinguishes him from other wispier alt-centric brooders like Daniel Caesar.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
Pain was also inflicted on the dog deliberately during these bestial acts.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
While her passion for her husband is tame, her screams for Dickinson’s character are bestial and overwhelming.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bestial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestial
Adjective
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At 6-4, Kone is a bouncy wing who overpowers defenders with brute strength and agile footwork.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Their crime was raising their voices against a repressive government that relied on brute force and surveillance of its citizens for its survival, a regime whose authority rested on force and fear.—
Binaifer Nowrojee,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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On one of the coldest days of the year, a brutal winter storm left a cat on the brink of disaster — until a hero stepped in.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Iranian authorities responded by launching a brutal crackdown on protests, according to observers.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Hunters can find whitetail deer, turkeys, feral pigs, mallards, wood ducks, gadwall, wigeon, teal, canvasback and other migratory bird species.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Big burgers spark bigger ideas from the community Long-time participant Corey Geier has already tried over half of the 50 burgers in the feral food competition.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestial. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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