brutal
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for brutal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Extremely violent, cruel, or harsh.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use brutal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin brutalis (\"savage, stupid\"), from Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid\") — the same root that gives us \"brute.\"
Full origin of brutal →Frequently asked questions
What does “brutal” mean?
The word “brutal” means extremely violent, cruel, or harsh. In plain terms, very harsh, violent, or unpleasantly direct.
How do you pronounce “brutal”?
“Brutal” is pronounced BROO-tuhl (/ˈbɹu.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “brutal” in a sentence?
Here is “brutal” used in a sentence: “The film depicts the brutal conditions in the prison camp.”
What part of speech is “brutal”?
“Brutal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “brutal” come from?
The word “brutal” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin brutalis (\"savage, stupid\"), from Latin brutus (\"dull, stupid\") — the same root that gives us \"brute.\".
Is “brutal” a common word?
“Brutal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brutal” have?
“Brutal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely violent, cruel, or harsh.
What is the difference between 'brutal' and 'brutish'?
'Brutal' means extremely violent, cruel, or harsh, and usually describes actions or conditions. 'Brutish' means resembling a brute in being rough, coarse, or unintelligent, and describes character or manner. An attack can be brutal, while a person's crude behaviour can be brutish.
What is the difference between 'brutal' and 'cruel'?
Both describe harshness, but 'brutal' stresses raw, physical violence or severity, while 'cruel' stresses the intention to cause pain or suffering. A blow can be brutal in its force, and a remark can be cruel in its aim to hurt.
Can 'brutal' be used in a positive way, like 'brutally honest'?
Yes. 'Brutal' can describe honesty that is blunt and unpleasant but truthful, as in 'brutally honest'. Here it signals directness without softening rather than actual violence, and the tone can even be admiring.