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.

Few, though, were as brutal as the horror show Matthew Potts suffered in Sydney.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

It’s brutal if you’re heading back to L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

It must have been a brutal morning for him.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Most of that drop came in a brutal five-day stretch ended March 24.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

"Jay Cee here," Jay Cee rapped out with brutal promptitude.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath