adj
bestial
BEHS-tee-uhl
Bestial (adj) means Savage, cruel, or animal-like in a shocking or brutal way.
adj
1
Savage, cruel, or animal-like in a shocking or brutal way.
"The soldiers were accused of bestial acts against civilians."
How to use bestial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehaving in a brutal, savage way, as if lacking human decency.
When to use it
A strong, negative word, mostly used to condemn extreme cruelty.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more bestial
- Superlative
- most bestial
Etymology
From Old French bestial, from Latin bēstia, "beast."
Related words
Rhymes for bestial
See all rhymes for bestial →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of bestial?
"bestial" (adj) means savage, cruel, or animal-like in a shocking or brutal way.
What is another word for bestial?
Other words for "bestial" include beastly, brutal, brute, brutish.
What is the opposite of bestial?
The opposite of "bestial" is kindly.
How do you use bestial in a sentence?
Example: "The soldiers were accused of bestial acts against civilians."
