BESTIALITY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

bestiality

noun

ˌbes-chē-ˈa-lə-tē

Definition of bestiality

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestiality

Noun

The story is organized by the seasons, and the director uses changes in the weather and the light to build the picture’s gathering mood of ossified brutality.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
The brutality of American immigration enforcement is nothing new.

— Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

Orange County prosecutors also charged Nguyen with animal cruelty and animal abuse by a caretaker, both felonies, and a sentencing enhancement alleging the personal use of a weapon.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express outrage and sadness over the cruelty inflicted on kittens, with many calling for harsher penalties for animal abuse.

— Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 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.

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bestial

bestiality

bestialize

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“Bestiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestiality. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of bestiality

noun

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