Definition of bestialnext

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestial
Adjective
  • Final impressions The 2026 Mazda CX-30 will not overwhelm you with brute force.
    Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
  • But despite what many people think, O'Herrin says tree roots cannot break into pipes with brute strength.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Salesforce is the latest SaaS (software-as-a-service) company to step up buybacks following the brutal sell-off to start the year.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • According to a new national survey conducted by NBC News, AI is viewed even more negatively than the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the militarized agency that has been embroiled in major controversy over its brutal deportation program, including the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Most everyone in attendance at 2220 seemed to be there to meet or support one of their favorite artists, one of the devout purists of our time who manages to remain that without getting smug, lazy or feral, all common pitfalls.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
  • And that’s before Hudson shows up and the audience goes feral.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Buc-ee's argues, in court documents, that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestial. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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