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 past was a very brutal place,” he intoned solemnly.

From Literature

After one brutal experience, he flees into the woods.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Do you want to trim trees and fix potholes or build housing? Sometimes that is the brutal reality.”

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. stock futures turned lower Monday night, following another brutal week for tech stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal