adjective
brutal
BROO-tul/ˈbruːtl/
Extremely harsh and without concern for suffering.
The brutal storm batters the coastal cabin and splinters its fence.
Etymology
Brutal originally meant animal-like, rather than human. Applied to people, it developed from being unreasoning to being savage, cruel, or unfeeling—the basis of its modern harshness.
In context
These workers were unpaid and forced to labor under brutal conditions, often facing harsh punishments
More examples
- A brutal winter destroyed much of the crop.
- She gave a brutal assessment of the failed plan.
- The team faced a brutal schedule of overnight shifts.
Forms
brutal
brutality noun — Extreme cruelty or harshness.
Similar words
- cruel
- Emphasizes causing or disregarding suffering, while brutal also describes extreme severity.