beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from other animals

b

: an animal that is not 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

Synonyms of beast

• brute
• villain
• monster
• savage
• devil
• criminal

Examples of beast in a Sentence

dogs and other four-footed beasts

the birds and beasts of the forest

They were attacked by a savage beast.

He's a cruel, hateful beast!

Recent Examples on the Web

Just laying eyes on one of these great beasts is an experience long to be remembered. —William J. McRae, Outdoor Life, 26 Nov. 2025

Writers—those power-hungry beasts—long to write the conclusive novel, the history of everything, the final work, a book so comprehensive and absolute that the world will stand still and history cease to be. —Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025

Zootopia 2 is set to unleash the beasts at home and abroad on Friday. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Nov. 2025

Roborock Robot Vacuum & Mop Deals The Roborock Qrevo CurvX is a certified beast for floors. —PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing beast

• beast epic
• beast fable
• beast mode
• beast of burden
• different beast
• go beast mode
• the belly of the beast

Rhymes for beast

• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones

b

: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work

2

: a mean or brutal person