Definition of bestialnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bestial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bestial are brutal, brutish, and feral. While all these words mean "characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct," bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

bestial depravity

In what contexts can brutal take the place of bestial?

The words brutal and bestial can be used in similar contexts, but brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

a senseless and brutal war

When is it sensible to use brutish instead of bestial?

While the synonyms brutish and bestial are close in meaning, brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

brutish stupidity

When can feral be used instead of bestial?

While in some cases nearly identical to bestial, feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bestial Channels the inner, bestial urges to release an unworldly howl that pushes back any nearby enemies. Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025 His nemesis in this series was a bestial Wakandan in a gorilla suit called Man-Ape. Ekow Eshun july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025 Despite bestial brutality and life-limiting economic and social injustices made legal—some existing still—our foreparents clung fiercely to their humanity and envisioned ours. Essence, 25 June 2025 Pent-up emotions, regrets, and bestial longings all burst forth in an expansive baritone whose confident quietism distinguishes him from other wispier alt-centric brooders like Daniel Caesar. Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestial
Adjective
  • The goal wasn’t to shape or combat any one particular narrative, but to complicate the entire story through brute force.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • The cracks are widening in the cult of Homelander, and brute force isn’t solving the problem.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Anyone familiar with the show knows what comes next probably won't be pretty, but even diehard fans will be shocked by how brutal Scattered Hopes can be.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • One of them is home to Sylvie (Isabelle Huppert), a prickly author who is supposed to be getting ready to move out but has instead descended into such a semi-feral state while working on her latest novel that her niece, Laurence (India Hair), hires someone to help her out.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • The old mining town of Oatman, known for its feral donkeys, is on the way.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • In Buc-ee's complaint, the chain argues that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • The song’s almost animalistic sensuality is miles away from the safe choices Skye has made—or been asked to make—until now.
    Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestial. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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