Synonyms of bestial

bestial

adjective

ˈbes-chəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brute
• brutal
• feral
• animalistic
• brutish
• subhuman
• animal
• savage
• beastly
• cruel
• vicious
• physical
• sensual
• swinish
• ferine
• carnal
• corporeal
• barbarous
• coarse
• corporal
• sadistic
• rude
• barbaric
• bodily
• crass
• vulgar
• inhumane
• heartless
• fleshly
• gross
• uncouth
• crude
• uncultured
• wanton
• unrefined
• uncultivated
• ill-bred
• lowbred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bestial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bestial are brutal, brutish, and feral. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

In what contexts can brutal take the place of bestial?

The words brutal and bestial can be used in similar contexts, but brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When is it sensible to use brutish instead of bestial?

While the synonyms brutish and bestial are close in meaning, brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

When can feral be used instead of bestial?

While in some cases nearly identical to bestial, feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bestial

Some deep bestial neurological structures fired inappropriately and stoked within her an instinct of brute survival. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

Channels the inner, bestial urges to release an unworldly howl that pushes back any nearby enemies. — Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

His nemesis in this series was a bestial Wakandan in a gorilla suit called Man-Ape. — Ekow Eshun july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025

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