BRUTAL Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'brutal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of brutal are bestial , brutish , and feral . While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity. // a senseless and brutal war

Q: When would 'bestial' be a good substitute for 'brutal'?

The words bestial and brutal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts. // bestial depravity

Q: In what contexts can 'brutish' take the place of 'brutal'?

The words brutish and brutal can be used in similar contexts, but brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct. // brutish stupidity

Q: When is 'feral' a more appropriate choice than 'brutal'?

Although the words feral and brutal have much in common, feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals. // the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

brutal

adjective

ˈbrü-tᵊl

Definition of brutal next

as in harsh

difficult to endure brutal hard labor in the hot sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cruel

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others a brutal tyrant who drove his country to revolt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in brute

having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal a coarse, brutal man who has no sense of what it means to be refined or sensitive or cultured

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brutal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of brutal are bestial, brutish, and feral. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When would bestial be a good substitute for brutal?

The words bestial and brutal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

In what contexts can brutish take the place of brutal?

The words brutish and brutal can be used in similar contexts, but brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

When is feral a more appropriate choice than brutal?

Although the words feral and brutal have much in common, 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 brutal While mourning the loss of their child, Marcus discovers that Ammara’s younger brother Chet, a promising Muay Thai boxer, owes money to a local crime boss — forcing him to participate in a series of brutal underground fights orchestrated by charismatic Nigerian gangster Tiga (Hounsou). —

Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025 Hegseth was swift to burst that bubble, fanciful as the notion was that the US would insert its men and women as prime targets in the most brutal battlefield on earth. —

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025 Much of the cavernous interior of this UNESCO World Heritage site — a former 19th-century care home — was painted in the 1930s by the celebrated Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco, whose brutal, moving imagery evokes the Spanish conquest in frescoes. —

Freda Moon, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 There’s no shame in losing to the Mavericks, but losing to these Mavericks is brutal. —

Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for brutal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutal

Adjective

The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.

— Brie Stimson, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025