adj.
Pronunciation: ' brü-t ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin brutalis, from Latin brutus ― more at BRUTE
Date: 15th century
1 archaic : typical of beasts : ANIMAL
2 : befitting a brute: as a : grossly ruthless or unfeeling <a brutal slander> b : CRUEL , COLD-BLOODED <a brutal attack> c : HARSH , SEVERE < brutal weather> d : unpleasantly accurate and incisive <the brutal truth> e : very bad or unpleasant <a brutal mistake>
– bru · tal · ly \ -t ə l- ē \ adverb
synonyms 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>.