bestial

adjective

bes·​tial ˈbes-chəl 

ˈbesh-,

ˈbēs- 

ˈbēsh-

1

a

: of or relating to beasts

grotesque combinations of human and bestial forms

b

: resembling a beast

a bestial shape

2

a

: lacking intelligence or reason

… the bestial man has no sense of right and wrong …

—J. E. Hankins

b

: marked by base (see base entry 3 sense 1a) or inhuman instincts or desires : brutal

bestial violence

… a scene of bestial intoxication …

—Herman Melville

bestialize

ˈbes-chə-ˌlīz 

ˈbesh-

ˈbēs-

ˈbēsh-

transitive verb

bestially

ˈbes-chə-lē 

ˈbesh-

ˈbēs-

ˈbēsh-

adverb

Synonyms

• animalistic
• beastly
• brutal
• brute
• brutish
• feral
• ferine
• subhuman
• swinish

Choose the Right Synonym for bestial

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

Examples of bestial in a Sentence

an apocalyptic sci-fi classic in which a lone drifter fights to avoid the bestial existence lived by the mass of survivors

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Pain was also inflicted on the dog deliberately during these bestial acts. —Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin bestialis, from bestia beast

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bestial

• celestial

Kids Definition

bestial

adjective

bes·​tial ˈbes-chəl  ˈbēs- 

1

: resembling a beast

2

: having or showing qualities like those of a beast : brutal, inhuman

bestiality

ˌbes-chē-ˈal-ət-ē

ˌbēs-

noun

bestially

-chə-lē 

adverb