brutal

[ broot-l ]

adjective

1. savage; cruel; inhuman:

   a brutal attack on the village.

   Synonyms: barbarous, brutish, ferocious

   Antonyms: kind

2. crude; coarse:

   brutal language.

   Synonyms: uncivil, rough, rude, gross

3. harsh; ferocious:

   brutal criticism; brutal weather.

4. taxing, demanding, or exhausting:

   They're having a brutal time making ends meet.

5. irrational; unreasoning.
6. of or relating to lower animals.

   Synonyms: animal, beastly, bestial

   Antonyms: human

brutal

/ ˈbruːtəl /

adjective

1. cruel; vicious; savage
2. extremely honest or coarse in speech or manner
3. harsh; severe; extreme

   brutal cold

Derived Forms

• ˈbrutally, adverb
• bruˈtality, noun

Other Words From

• brutal·ly adverb
• hyper·brutal adjective
• hyper·brutal·ly adverb
• non·brutal adjective
• non·brutal·ly adverb
• over·brutal adjective
• over·brutal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of brutal¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin brūtālis; equivalent to brute ¹ + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See cruel.

Example Sentences

“Prolific, brutal and horrific” – these words sum up four decades of abuse meted out by John Smyth and affecting scores of boys in the UK and Africa.

From BBC

In its three years in power, the Taliban government has imposed increasing, brutal restrictions on women.

From BBC

Some women I've interviewed who have reported more serious sexual offences say they wish they had never done so because the process was so brutal.

From BBC

The judge said it was a "brutal, sustained attack with a knife".

From BBC

Lu looks to be Gen Z’s new ambassador for the opaque and brutal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barbarous
• callous
• ferocious
• harsh
• inhuman
• merciless
• rough
• rude
• ruthless
• savage
• severe
• vicious