First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
brutal
adjective bru·tal \ˈbrü-təl\
: extremely cruel or harsh
: very direct and accurate in a way that is harsh or unpleasant
: very bad or unpleasant
Full Definition of BRUTAL
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 \-təl-ē\ adverb
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Origin of BRUTAL
Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin brutalis, from Latin brutus — more at brute
Related to BRUTAL
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
BRUTALLY Defined for Kids
brutal
adjective bru·tal \ˈbrü-təl\
Definition of BRUTAL for Kids
: cruel and harsh <brutal treatment>
— bru·tal·ly adverb
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