Synonyms of brutish

brutish

adjective

ˈbrü-tish 

as in brute

having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal

as the months of recurrent combat dragged on, the daily existence of the soldiers became increasingly brutish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brute
• brutal
• feral
• animalistic
• bestial
• savage
• beastly
• subhuman
• cruel
• animal
• vicious
• swinish
• physical
• sensual
• coarse
• ferine
• rude
• corporeal
• crass
• sadistic
• barbaric
• barbarous
• corporal
• vulgar
• carnal
• heartless
• inhumane
• bodily
• uncouth
• crude
• uncultured
• fleshly
• gross
• wanton
• unrefined
• uncultivated
• ill-bred
• lowbred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• sublime
• chivalrous
• gallant
• great
• high
• magnanimous
• lofty
• elevated
• spiritual
• lordly
• angelic
• high-minded
• benevolent
• kind
• compassionate
• beneficent
• kindly
• greathearted
• genteel
• angelical
• cultured
• polished
• refined
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• good-hearted
• cultivated
• benignant
• tenderhearted
• well-bred

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brutish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of brutish are bestial, brutal, and feral. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

In what contexts can bestial take the place of brutish?

In some situations, the words bestial and brutish are roughly equivalent. However, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

When is brutal a more appropriate choice than brutish?

The meanings of brutal and brutish largely overlap; however, brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When could feral be used to replace brutish?

The words feral and brutish can be used in similar contexts, but feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brutish

Her battle with the disease was nasty, brutish, and prolonged. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025

The first 54 holes at Palmer’s brutish layout proved those off their game will be exposed. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025

But there’s nothing truly masculine about these brutish low-lifes who oppose everything that makes for responsible manhood. —The Editors, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025

Singing the role of Galatea is soprano Nola Richardson, with tenor James Reese at her side as Acis and bass-baritone Douglas Ray Williams as the brutish Polyphemus. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025