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Definitions

brutal

[broot-l] / ˈbrut l /
ADJECTIVE
cruel, remorseless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbarous callous ferocious harsh inhuman merciless rough rude ruthless savage severe vicious
WEAK
bloodthirsty gruff hard heartless impolite insensitive pitiless remorseless uncivil uncivilized unfeeling unmannerly unmerciful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm civilized compassionate courteous easy friendly gentle giving kind mild nice polished polite refined smooth sophisticated sympathetic tame temperate tender
WEAK
generous humane
ADJECTIVE
crude, rough
Synonyms
STRONGEST
inhuman inhumane rude savage
WEAK
animal bearish beastly bestial brute brutish carnal coarse feral ferine swinish unfeeling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kind nice
WEAK
generous gentle humane

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The practice has deep roots in incel forums and the broader manosphere, where appearance is treated as destiny and social life is reduced to a brutal, pseudo-Darwinian hierarchy.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Investors are rotating back to momentum stocks after a brutal March.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

He has never quite looked the same since his trilogy with Fury - a brutal rivalry in which he was floored five times and stopped twice.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Hurley’s brutal training sessions do more than toughen his team up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Raccoons owned the night, and raccoons were truly terrifying creatures—more brutal even than cats.

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.