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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.

Layoffs have been a brutal reality across the entertainment industry for the past few years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Software stocks are experiencing another brutal selloff on Thursday, and one technical strategist suggests more pain could be ahead for the beaten-down sector.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

But his and millions of others' commutes have been snarled by brutal temperatures as Africa's most populous country fights a heatwave.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

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

In that first, brutal winter Burnham’s photographer, Charles Arnold, took a very different series of photographs.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson