...the brutal suppression of anti-government protests.
Jensen is a dangerous man, and can be very brutal and reckless.
Synonyms: cruel, harsh, savage, grim More Synonyms of brutal
brutallyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
Her real parents had been brutally murdered.
Synonyms: cruelly, fiercely, savagely, ruthlessly More Synonyms of brutal
2. adjective
If someone expresses something unpleasant with brutal honesty or frankness, they express it in a clear and accurate way, without attempting to disguise its unpleasantness.
It was refreshing to talk about themselves and their feelings with brutal honesty.
He took an anguished breath. He had to be brutal and say it.
brutallyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB with verb]
The talks had been brutally frank.
Synonyms: mercilessly, fiercely, cruelly, relentlessly More Synonyms of brutal
3. adjective
Brutal is used to describe things that have an unpleasant effect on people, especially when there is no attempt by anyone to reduce their effect.
The dip in prices this summer will be brutal.
The afternoon sun had been brutal.
The 20th century brought brutal change to some countries.
brutallyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
The early-morning New York air can be brutally cold.
Synonyms: savagely, cruelly, dangerously, ferociously More Synonyms of brutal
More Synonyms of brutal
brutal in British English
(ˈbruːtəl)
adjective
1.
cruel; vicious; savage
2.
extremely honest or coarse in speech or manner
3.
harsh; severe; extreme
brutal cold
Derived forms
brutality (bruˈtality)
noun
brutally (ˈbrutally)
adverb
brutal in American English
(ˈbrutəl)
adjective
1. Obsolete
of or belonging to beasts; animal
2.
like a brute; cruel and unfeeling; savage, violent, ruthless, etc.
3.
very harsh or rigorous
a brutal winter
4.
plain and direct, although distressing in effect
brutal facts
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcruel
Derived forms
brutally (ˈbrutally)
adverb
Word origin
ME & OFr < ML brutalis
Examples of 'brutal' in a sentence
brutal
There is a brutal irony about his retirement accommodation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Couples counsellors suggest having an honest (but not brutal) exchange about what behavioural tweaks would bring you closer.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The body shape of the modern fighter is very different to the early fighters, they were much more brutal, more savage.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But he was too brutal about those with less strong stomachs.
Jenkins, Roy Truman (1986)
The year just gone was especially brutal.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This was a vicious and brutal attack.
The Sun (2008)
He says squash is brutal but adds that he loves his job.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The time has come to discuss these with brutal frankness.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It has been a cruel and brutal election.
The Sun (2015)
This is a time for brutal honesty and fronting up.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It could be brutal and vicious from round one.
The Sun (2013)
So why were they killed in such a brutal manner?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Their approach is one of brutal honesty and individuals taking responsibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But it can be brutal and harsh and difficult, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Be brutal about what you will and won't go to see.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was brutal, especially the first half.
The Sun (2010)
Round says the brutal nature of the Dakar is part of its allure.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These are the questions that a five-day inquest was considering last week with brutal frankness.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But it's a cruel and brutal sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Set in Scotland, it follows two families torn apart by a brutal double murder.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
brutal
British English: brutal /ˈbruːtl/ ADJECTIVE
A brutal act or person is cruel and violent.
This is a brutal and senseless war.
American English: brutal
Arabic: وَحُشِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: brutal
Chinese: 残忍的
Croatian: brutalan
Czech: brutální
Danish: brutal
Dutch: bruut
European Spanish: brutal violento
Finnish: raaka brutaali
French: brutal
German: brutal
Greek: κτηνώδης
Italian: brutale
Japanese: 残忍な
Korean: 잔인한
Norwegian: brutal
Polish: brutalny
European Portuguese: brutal
Romanian: brutal
Russian: жестокий
Latin American Spanish: brutal
Swedish: brutal
Thai: โหดร้าย
Turkish: vahşi
Ukrainian: жорстокий
Vietnamese: tàn bạo
All related terms of 'brutal'
brutal attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
brutal regime
If you refer to a government or system of running a country as a regime , you are critical of it because you think it is not democratic and uses unacceptable methods.
brutal winter
Winter is the season between autumn and spring when the weather is usually cold.
brutal honesty
Honesty is the quality of being honest .
brutal reality
The reality of a situation is the truth about it, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult to deal with.
brutal crackdown
A crackdown is strong official action that is taken to punish people who break laws.
Chinese translation of 'brutal'
brutal
(ˈbruːtl)
adj
[person, killing]残(殘)忍的 (cánrěn de)
[honesty, frankness]直率的 (zhíshuài de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
cruel
He was the victim of a very brutal attack.
Synonyms
cruel
They should spend a long time in jail to reflect on their cruel acts.
the persecution of prisoners by cruel captors
harsh
He said many harsh and unkind things.
savage
This was a savage and needless attack.
grim
Her expression was grim and unpleasant.
vicious
He suffered a vicious attack by a group of gang members.
ruthless
a ruthless totalitarian power
ferocious
Fighting has been ferocious.
callous
sadistic
There was a sadistic streak in him.
heartless
I couldn't believe they were so heartless.
atrocious
The treatment of the prisoners was atrocious.
inhuman
The barbaric slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman.
merciless
the merciless efficiency of a modern police state
cold-blooded
a cold-blooded killer
inhumane
He was kept in inhumane conditions.
brutish
bloodthirsty
this bloodthirsty killer
remorseless
the capacity for quick, remorseless violence
barbarous
It was a barbarous attack on a purely civilian train.
pitiless
He saw the pitiless eyes of his enemy.
uncivilized
hard-hearted
You would have to be pretty hard-hearted not to feel something.
Opposites
kind
,
gentle
,
humane
,
civilized
,
merciful
,
soft-hearted
2 (adjective)
Definition
harsh or severe
She spoke with a brutal honesty.
Synonyms
harsh
tough
severe
rough
He was rough and common.
rude
He's rude to her friends.
indifferent
People have become indifferent to the suffering of others.
insensitive
Her friend was insensitive and careless.
callous
a callous and brutal attack on an old man
merciless
unconcerned
uncaring
this uncaring attitude towards the less well off
gruff
His gruff exterior concealed a kind heart.
bearish
tactless
He had alienated many people with his tactless remarks.
unfeeling
an unfeeling bully who used his huge size to frighten people
impolite
It would be most impolite to refuse a simple invitation to supper.
uncivil
The shock of being addressed in such an uncivil tone was too much.
unmannerly
Opposites
sensitive
,
refined
,
polite
3 (adjective)
a kind of frank and brutal passion
Synonyms
bestial
the bestial conditions into which the city has sunk
animal
the animal side of human nature
beastly (informal)
He must be wondering why everyone is being so beastly to him.
crude
a crude sense of humour
coarse
They don't know how to behave, and are coarse and insulting.
sensual
sensual pleasure
brute
carnal
Their passion became inflamed and their carnal desires ran wild.
brutish
The man was brutish and coarse.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animal
Definition
of or relating to physical needs or desires
the animal side of human nature
Synonyms
physical,
gross,
fleshly,
bodily,
sensual,
carnal,
brutish,
bestial,
animalistic
in the sense of atrocious
Definition
extremely cruel or wicked
The treatment of the prisoners was atrocious.
Synonyms
cruel,
savage,
brutal,
vicious,
ruthless,
infamous,
monstrous,
wicked,
barbaric,
inhuman,
diabolical,
heinous,
flagrant,
infernal,
fiendish,
villainous,
nefarious,
horrifying,
grievous
in the sense of barbarous
Definition
brutal or cruel
It was a barbarous attack on a purely civilian train.