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

In the 1997 film, the title character (Brendan Fraser) tussles with the beast before rescuing Ursula (Mann). — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Boy The Chromatic is a very different and much simpler beast than the Pocket. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Headline writers like to use words like menageries and beasts to describe it. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026

Mythical Creatures, designed by Kit Kemp of London’s Firmdale Hotels, is a playful take on fine bone china that comes decorated with folk-art birds and beasts, then finished with a gold rim Kemp customizes herself. — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

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