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brutal

adjective
bru·​tal | \ ˈbrü-tᵊl How to pronounce brutal (audio) \

Definition of brutal

1 : suitable to one who lacks intelligence, sensitivity, or compassion : befitting a brute: such as
a : cruel, cold-blooded a brutal attack
b : harsh, severe brutal weather
c : unpleasantly accurate and incisive the brutal truth
d : very bad or unpleasant a brutal mistake
e : grossly ruthless or unfeeling a brutal slander
2 archaic : typical of beasts : animal thee, Serpent … to me so friendly grown above the rest of brutal kind— John Milton
Other Words from brutal Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about brutal

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Other Words from brutal

brutally \ ˈbrü-​tᵊl-​Ä“ How to pronounce brutally (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for brutal

brutal, brutish, bestial, feral 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 brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct. brutish stupidity bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts. bestial depravity feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals. the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Examples of brutal in a Sentence

Sailors sometimes faced brutal punishments like whipping. a brutal struggle for survival in the wilderness The writer describes the dangers of drugs with brutal honesty. The movie is a brutal depiction of the war. The traffic was brutal on the way to work. I had a brutal headache this morning.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Nkomo eventually submitted, folding his party into Mr. Mugabe’s ruling organization in return for an end to the brutal attacks against his followers. — Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, "Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean leader who helped liberate and destroy his country, dies at 95," 6 Sep. 2019 Scott Bakula’s character, Dwayne Pride, and the rest of her crew were supportive, but the goodbye between Percy and LaSalle was particularly brutal. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Here's the Real Reason Shalita Grant Left 'NCIS: New Orleans'," 31 Aug. 2019 Protesters have also disrupted train services and held tense stand-offs at stations, and one train station was the site of a brutal armed mob attack against civilians in July. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "Hong Kong’s world-class subway could be the next company to face China’s wrath," 26 Aug. 2019 Sowore, the human-rights activist, survived a brutal attack by cultists in Lagos in 1994. — Sean Williams, Harper's magazine, "The Black Axe," 19 Aug. 2019 Whether viewers were moved by each episode’s brutal honesty or overwhelmed by the barrage of gaspworthy scenes, Euphoria had everyone talking. — Maxwell Losgar, Marie Claire, "Hunter Schafer Isn't So Sure About Being a Role Model," 9 Aug. 2019 The brutal and puzzling attack came just days after a pair of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio left 31 people dead and stunned the nation. — Robert Jablon, The Denver Post, "Stabbing rampage by man in 2 California cities leaves 4 dead," 8 Aug. 2019 The brutal and puzzling attack came just days after a pair of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio left 31 people dead and stunned the nation. — CBS News, "4 dead and 2 wounded in Southern California stabbing spree; suspect identified," 8 Aug. 2019 If the late Ron Santo was beloved in the city for always putting a positive spin on the Cubs, Buffone built his popularity on the basis of brutal honesty analyzing his beloved Bears. — Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 48, Doug Buffone," 20 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brutal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of brutal

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for brutal

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin brutalis, from Latin brutus — more at brute

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More Definitions for brutal

brutal

adjective
How to pronounce brutal (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of brutal

: extremely cruel or harsh
: very direct and accurate in a way that is harsh or unpleasant
informal : very bad or unpleasant

See the full definition for brutal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

brutal

adjective
bru·​tal | \ ˈbrü-tᵊl How to pronounce brutal (audio) \

Kids Definition of brutal

: cruel and harsh brutal treatment

Other Words from brutal

brutally

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