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 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 Pain was also inflicted on the dog deliberately during these bestial acts. Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 While her passion for her husband is tame, her screams for Dickinson’s character are bestial and overwhelming. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bestial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestial
Adjective
  • Organizations that adopt these practices will move faster, spend less, and achieve more than those still chasing brute-force scale.
    Abhas Ricky, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Derick Hall is a Super Bowl champion because of his brute strength.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Plus, the unknown impact AI will have on SaaS companies casts a brutal shadow over the sector, and the impact on Workday is significantly visible.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • In an ecosystem squeezed by the brutal economics of streaming and the continuing struggles of the theatrical model, far too many worthy films go unsold and unseen.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Many Texas ranchers are also worried about the threat to wildlife such as deer and feral hogs, which can fuel revenue streams through hunting leases.
    Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The family’s oldest child was once forced to watch her cat be mauled to death by feral dogs after she was caught taking food out of the pantry without permission.
    Stephanie Kaloi, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But even the fact that some of them are inspired to consider helping out makes for significant progress in a world that is governed by survivalism and animalistic self-interest.
    Jack King, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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