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bestiality

noun

ˌbes-chē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce bestiality (audio)
Definition of bestialitynext
as in brutality
the manifestation of the traits or the gratification of the appetites of a lower animal by the end of hostilities the suffering populace had been reduced to a level of bestiality that would have been unthinkable before the war

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestiality
  1. brutality
  2. cruelty
Noun
  • In June 2020, a majority of Clemson’s football team joined a march of roughly 3,000 people protesting police brutality.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Here, in this image of an ingenious skidding kitten—in both its brutality and its beautiful, dumb, playful resilience—lies the wisdom of Marcon’s art.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of brutality
Noun
  • The beauty of the landscape will sit alongside the cruelty unfolding among the characters.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Florida law has specific statutory provisions that address feral and free-ranging cats, which are considered domestic animals under state law that are protected by the animal cruelty statutes.
    — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruelty
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bestial
bestiality
bestialize
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Cite this Entry

“Bestiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestiality. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bestiality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bestiality

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