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.

Iranian students are reviving protests against the Islamic Republic, bringing cohesion to the movement after a brutal crackdown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Coming so soon after 1776, France’s revolution has always served as the brutal counterpoint to America’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

More recently, the rise of online shopping has been brutal.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the brutal war persisted, Charles Livermore continued to see and feel Estelle’s gentle spirit in his séances with Kate Fox.

From Literature

William Shakespeare’s “Richard III” is a brutal play — brutal to watch and just as brutal to stage.

From Los Angeles Times

brutal

Example Sentences

Related Words