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.

But it's a brutal sport, which requires its very best to be in the saddle for several hours almost every day of their lives.

From BBC

It’s been a brutal stretch for American manufacturers.

From Barron's

The extreme fallout of the loss introduced the 48-year-old to the brutal nature of football in Glasgow.

From BBC

There was a callousness about his exit and the brutal words about him from Desmond.

From BBC

But in that role she publicly took a backseat - presenting a more family-oriented face to what critics say was a brutal regime.

From BBC