brutish

[ broo-tish ]

adjective

1. brutal; cruel.
2. gross; coarse.
3. carnal; sensual.
4. uncivilized.
5. bestial; like an animal.

brutish

/ ˈbruːtɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a brute or brutes; animal
2. coarse; cruel; stupid

Derived Forms

• ˈbrutishly, adverb
• ˈbrutishness, noun

Other Words From

• brutish·ly adverb
• brutish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brutish¹

First recorded in 1485–95; brute ¹ + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

For the third time in a year, this time heading to my local train station in my wheelchair, I hear the familiar, brutish drawl: “Timmaaah.”

From BBC

For a long time, scientists considered Neanderthals brutish and unsophisticated by comparison with our species.

From BBC

Those simple yet brutish horns on their helmet?

From Los Angeles Times

They breathe the moist, almost humid air, and still marvel that such brutish machinery can produce such delicate results.

From Los Angeles Times

It can cue the return of the bacterial infections that used to make life nasty, brutish and short — and in some ways, this is already happening.

From Salon