BUTCHERLY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

butcherly

adjective

ˈbu̇-chər-lē

Definition of butcherly

as in brutal

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others Genghis Khan and his butcherly horde even massacred the livestock of the villages they overran

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for butcherly

Adjective

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is fighting for his job security after a brutal start to the season.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity.

— R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutal

Adjective

The offbeat, cruel cadence of the bit reminded me of classic Update Norm Macdonald.

— Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Lynch was on the outside trying to gather herself after the vicious table slam.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of vicious

Adjective

The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index weathered a savage 30% drawdown, has been choppily trendless for two months, then in recent days finally broke above its downtrend and surmounted the 50-day moving average.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of savage

Adjective

Sure, that sounds ridiculous for a season about rape, infidelity, mass murder, suicide, and society’s ruthless commodification of those very things.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
In part, Iran’s political system and ruthless crackdown on protest has given it some insulation from the economic destruction imposed by the blockade and sanctions.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruthless

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

butchering

butcherly

butchers

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“Butcherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butcherly. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of butcherly

adjective

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