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 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 Pain was also inflicted on the dog deliberately during these bestial acts. Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 Eggers certainly loves the guy, and Skarsgård’s ultra-committed performance allows the film to enjoy a contagious pleasure in returning the vampire archetype to its more bestial origins. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bestial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bestial
Adjective
  • The young protesters were again met with the brute force of the Kenyan police.
    Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
  • Few contemporary artists capture the brute force and fragility of the human body like Jenny Saville.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • After the brutal ascent of Ventoux, sprinters get their spotlight.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • Mortensen not only survived the brutal massacre, but is also the only eyewitness to have seen Kohberger at the scene of the crime.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the past year, the department confirmed 25 rabid animals, including raccoons and feral cats.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • How about spay, neuter and release, like folks do with feral cats?
    Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bestial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bestial. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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