First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
bestial
adjective bes·tial \ˈbes-chəl, ˈbesh-, ˈbēs-, ˈbēsh-\
: resembling or suggesting an animal or beast : very cruel, violent, etc.
Full Definition of BESTIAL
1
a : of or relating to beasts b : resembling a beast
2
a : lacking intelligence or reason b : marked by base or inhuman instincts or desires : brutal
— bes·tial·ize \-chə-ˌlīz\ transitive verb
— bes·tial·ly \-chə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of BESTIAL
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin bestialis, from bestia beast
Related to BESTIAL
Synonym Discussion of BESTIAL
brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct. brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity <a senseless and brutal war>. brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct <brutish stupidity>. bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts <bestial depravity>. feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals <the struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses>.
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