brutal

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin brutalis (“savage, stupid”), from Latin brūtus (“dull, stupid”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹuːtəl/
• (Standard Southern British) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹʉwtəl/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹu.təl/, [ˈbɹu.ɾəl]
• (Australian, New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹʉːtəl/, [ˈbɹʉːɾəl]
• (Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈbɾɪʊtəl/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /ˈbɾʉtəl/
• (Northern Ireland) IPA^(key): /ˈbɻʉtəl/
• Rhymes: -uːtəl

Adjective

brutal (comparative more brutal, superlative most brutal)

2. Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel, often in an unintelligent manner.

   Synonyms: barbaric, barbarous, savage, truculent; see also Thesaurus:cruel, Thesaurus:savage

   Antonyms: gentle, kind

   The game was brutal, but after a bloodbath he finally won.

   • 2017 January 19, Peter Bradshaw, “T2 Trainspotting review – choose a sequel that doesn't disappoint”, in the Guardian‎^[1]:

     What began as a zeitgeisty outlaw romp in the Uncool Britannia of the 1990s is now reborn as a scabrous and brutal black comedy about middle-aged male disappointment and fear of death.

3. Crude or unfeeling in manner or speech.

   Synonyms: blunt, brusque, cold-blooded

4. Harsh; unrelenting.

   Synonyms: callous, severe, unyielding; see also Thesaurus:stern

5. Disagreeably precise or penetrating.
6. (music, figuratively) In extreme metal, to describe the speed of the music and the density of riffs.
7. Direct and without attempt to disguise unpleasantness.

   Synonyms: blunt, unsubtle

   brutal honesty

Derived terms

• brutalisation
• brutalise
• brutalism
• Brutalism
• Brutalist
• brutalist
• brutalitarian
• brutalize
• brutalness
• nonbrutal
• overbrutal

Related terms

• brutality
• brutally
• brute
• brutish

Translations

savagely violent

• Albanian: please add this translation if you can
• Armenian: վայրագ (hy) (vayrag), դաժան (hy) (dažan)
• Azerbaijani: qəddar (az), rəhmsiz (az), amansız (az), zalım (az), mərhəmətsiz (az)
• Belarusian: жо́рсткі (žórstki), брута́льны (brutálʹny)
• Bulgarian: жесто́к (bg) (žestók), зве́рски (bg) (zvérski)
• Catalan: brutal (ca)
• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 殘忍 / 残忍 (zh) (cánrěn), 野蠻 / 野蛮 (zh) (yěmán)

• Dutch: bruut (nl)
• Esperanto: brutala (eo)
• Estonian: please add this translation if you can
• Finnish: raaka (fi), kova (fi), brutaali (fi)
• French: brutal (fr)
• Galician: brutal (gl)
• Georgian: სასტიკი (ka) (sasṭiḳi), უხეში (uxeši), მხეცური (mxecuri), არაადამიანური (araadamianuri)
• German: brutal (de)
• Greek: κτηνώδης (el) (ktinódis), ζωώδης (el) (zoódis)
• Hindi: बर्बर (hi) (barbar), क्रूर (krūr)
• Hungarian: brutális (hu)
• Irish: brúidiúil
• Italian: brutale (it)
• Latvian: dzīvniecisks, brutāls
• Lithuanian: žvėriškas
• Māori: tunuhuruhuru, maukino, tūkino
• Norman: bruta
• Polish: brutalny (pl)
• Portuguese: brutal (pt)
• Romanian: brutal (ro)
• Russian: жесто́кий (ru) (žestókij), зве́рский (ru) (zvérskij) (of behaviour, not people), брута́льный (ru) (brutálʹnyj)
• Scottish Gaelic: brùideil
• Slovak: please add this translation if you can
• Spanish: brutal (es)
• Swedish: brutal (sv)
• Turkish: please add this translation if you can

  Ottoman Turkish: خشین (haşin)

• Ukrainian: жорсто́кий (žorstókyj), брута́льний (uk) (brutálʹnyj)

in heavy metal, to describe the speed of the music and the density of riffs

• German: brutal (de)
• Portuguese: brutal (pt)

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “brutal”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.
• “brutal”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Anagrams

• Brault

Catalan

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin brutālis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Northern, Balearic, Central, Valencia, Northwestern) [bɾuˈtal]

• Audio (Barcelona):

  (file)

Adjective

brutal m or f (masculine and feminine plural brutals)

1. brutal

Derived terms

• brutalisme
• brutalitat
• brutalment

Related terms

• brut

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007

Central Bikol

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish brutal.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: bru‧tal
• IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtal/ [bɾuˈtal̪]

Adjective

brutál

1. brutal; wicked

   Synonym: mabangis

Related terms

• bruto

Danish

Etymology

From French brutal, from Latin brūtus (“dull, stupid”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /brutaːl/, [b̥ʁuˈtˢæːˀl]

Adjective

brutal

1. brutal
2. savage

Inflection

Inflection of brutal

	positive	comparative	superlative
indefinite common singular	brutal	brutalere	brutalest2
indefinite neuter singular	brutalt	brutalere	brutalest2
plural	brutale	brutalere	brutalest2
definite attributive1	brutale	brutalere	brutaleste

¹ When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite,
the corresponding "indefinite" form is used.
² The "indefinite" superlatives may not be used attributively.

Derived terms

• brutalitet

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin brūtālis (“savage, stupid”), from brūtus (“dull, stupid”). See brut and -al.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bʁy.tal/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Audio (Switzerland (Valais)):

  (file)

• Audio (France (Vosges)):

  (file)

• Audio (France (Vosges)):

  (file)

• Audio (France (Saint-Étienne)):

  (file)

Adjective

brutal (feminine brutale, masculine plural brutaux, feminine plural brutales)

1. brutal

Noun

brutal m (plural brutaux, feminine brutale)

1. person who acts brutally

Derived terms

• brutalement
• brutaliser
• brutalité

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012

Anagrams

• brulât, brûlât

German

Etymology

From Latin brutalis, from brutus (“dull, stupid”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bʁuˈtaːl/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aːl

Adjective

brutal (strong nominative masculine singular brutaler, comparative brutaler, superlative am brutalsten)

1. brutal

   Synonyms: barbarisch, kaltblütig

   Antonym: freundlich

Declension

Positive forms of brutal

number & gender		singular			plural
		masculine	feminine	neuter
predicative		er ist brutal	sie ist brutal	es ist brutal	sie sind brutal
strong declension (without article)	nominative	brutaler	brutale	brutales	brutale
	genitive	brutalen	brutaler	brutalen	brutaler
	dative	brutalem	brutaler	brutalem	brutalen
	accusative	brutalen	brutale	brutales	brutale
weak declension (with definite article)	nominative	der brutale	die brutale	das brutale	die brutalen
	genitive	des brutalen	der brutalen	des brutalen	der brutalen
	dative	dem brutalen	der brutalen	dem brutalen	den brutalen
	accusative	den brutalen	die brutale	das brutale	die brutalen
mixed declension (with indefinite article)	nominative	ein brutaler	eine brutale	ein brutales	(keine) brutalen
	genitive	eines brutalen	einer brutalen	eines brutalen	(keiner) brutalen
	dative	einem brutalen	einer brutalen	einem brutalen	(keinen) brutalen
	accusative	einen brutalen	eine brutale	ein brutales	(keine) brutalen

Comparative forms of brutal

number & gender		singular			plural
		masculine	feminine	neuter
predicative		er ist brutaler	sie ist brutaler	es ist brutaler	sie sind brutaler
strong declension (without article)	nominative	brutalerer	brutalere	brutaleres	brutalere
	genitive	brutaleren	brutalerer	brutaleren	brutalerer
	dative	brutalerem	brutalerer	brutalerem	brutaleren
	accusative	brutaleren	brutalere	brutaleres	brutalere
weak declension (with definite article)	nominative	der brutalere	die brutalere	das brutalere	die brutaleren
	genitive	des brutaleren	der brutaleren	des brutaleren	der brutaleren
	dative	dem brutaleren	der brutaleren	dem brutaleren	den brutaleren
	accusative	den brutaleren	die brutalere	das brutalere	die brutaleren
mixed declension (with indefinite article)	nominative	ein brutalerer	eine brutalere	ein brutaleres	(keine) brutaleren
	genitive	eines brutaleren	einer brutaleren	eines brutaleren	(keiner) brutaleren
	dative	einem brutaleren	einer brutaleren	einem brutaleren	(keinen) brutaleren
	accusative	einen brutaleren	eine brutalere	ein brutaleres	(keine) brutaleren

Superlative forms of brutal

number & gender		singular			plural
		masculine	feminine	neuter
predicative		er ist am brutalsten	sie ist am brutalsten	es ist am brutalsten	sie sind am brutalsten
strong declension (without article)	nominative	brutalster	brutalste	brutalstes	brutalste
	genitive	brutalsten	brutalster	brutalsten	brutalster
	dative	brutalstem	brutalster	brutalstem	brutalsten
	accusative	brutalsten	brutalste	brutalstes	brutalste
weak declension (with definite article)	nominative	der brutalste	die brutalste	das brutalste	die brutalsten
	genitive	des brutalsten	der brutalsten	des brutalsten	der brutalsten
	dative	dem brutalsten	der brutalsten	dem brutalsten	den brutalsten
	accusative	den brutalsten	die brutalste	das brutalste	die brutalsten
mixed declension (with indefinite article)	nominative	ein brutalster	eine brutalste	ein brutalstes	(keine) brutalsten
	genitive	eines brutalsten	einer brutalsten	eines brutalsten	(keiner) brutalsten
	dative	einem brutalsten	einer brutalsten	einem brutalsten	(keinen) brutalsten
	accusative	einen brutalsten	eine brutalste	ein brutalstes	(keine) brutalsten

Related terms

• Brutalität

Further reading

• “brutal” in Duden online
• “brutal”, in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache‎^[2] (in German)

Indonesian

Etymology

Borrowed from Dutch brutaal, from Middle Dutch brutael (“savage”), from Middle French brutal (“savage”), from Medieval Latin brutalis (“savage, stupid”), from Latin brūtus (“dull, stupid”). Compare with Indonesian bruto.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Indonesian) IPA^(key): /ˈbrutal/ [ˈbru.t̪al]
• Rhymes: -utal
• Syllabification: bru‧tal

Adjective

brutal (comparative lebih brutal, superlative paling brutal)

1. (colloquial) brutal
   1. violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel

      Synonym: kejam

   2. harsh; unrelenting

      Synonym: kasar

Alternative forms

• brutaal (1901–1947)

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia [Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language] (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016

Malay

Etymology

Borrowed from English brutal, from Middle French brutal (“savage”), from Medieval Latin brutalis (“savage, stupid”), from Latin brūtus (“dull, stupid”).

Pronunciation

• (Literary Standard) IPA^(key): /ˈbrutal/ [ˈbru.t̪al]
  • Rhymes: -utal
• (Kuala Lumpur-Singapore) IPA^(key): /ˈbrutal/ [ˈbru.t̪al]
  • Rhymes: -utal
• (Kedah) IPA^(key): /ˈbrutaj/ [ˈbʁu.t̪ai̯]
  • Rhymes: -utaj
• Syllabification: bru‧tal

Adjective

brutal (comparative lebih brutal, superlative paling brutal)

1. (colloquial) brutal
   1. violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel

      Synonym: kejam

   2. harsh; unrelenting

      Synonym: kasar

Further reading

• "brutal" in Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu (PRPM) [Malay Literary Reference Centre (PRPM)] (in Malay), Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2017

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Latin brutus, via French brutal.

Adjective

brutal (neuter singular brutalt, definite singular and plural brutale)

1. brutal

Related terms

• brutalitet

References

• “brutal” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From Latin brutus, via French brutal.

Adjective

brutal (neuter singular brutalt, definite singular and plural brutale)

1. brutal

Related terms

• brutalitet

References

• “brutal” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Occitan

Alternative forms

• brutau (Limousin)

Pronunciation

• Audio (Languedoc):

  (file)

Adjective

brutal m (feminine singular brutala, masculine plural brutals, feminine plural brutalas) (Languedoc)

1. brutal

Derived terms

• brutalament
• brutalejar
• brutalitat

Related terms

• bruta

Further reading

• Diccionari General de la Lenga Occitana‎^[3], L’Academia occitana – Consistòri del Gai Saber, 2008-2025, page 132

Polish

Etymology

Borrowed from French brutal, from Latin brūtālis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbru.tal/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -utal
• Syllabification: bru‧tal

Noun

brutal m pers

1. brute (brutal person)

Declension

Declension of brutal

	singular	plural
nominative	brutal	brutale
genitive	brutala	brutali/brutalów
dative	brutalowi	brutalom
accusative	brutala	brutali/brutalów
instrumental	brutalem	brutalami
locative	brutalu	brutalach
vocative	brutalu	brutale

Related terms

adjective

• brutalny

adverb

• brutalnie

nouns

• brutalizacja
• brutalizm
• brutalność

verbs

• brutalizować impf
• zbrutalizować pf

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Wielki słownik języka polskiego‎^[4] (in Polish), Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• “brutal”, in Polish dictionaries at PWN‎^[5] (in Polish)

Portuguese

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin brūtālis.

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtaw/ [bɾuˈtaʊ̯]

 

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtal/ [bɾuˈtaɫ]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtal/ [bɾuˈtaɫ]
  • (Southern Portugal) IPA^(key): /bɾuˈta.li/

• Rhymes: (Portugal) -al, (Brazil) -aw
• Hyphenation: bru‧tal

Adjective

brutal m or f (plural brutais)

1. brutal, brutish
2. (colloquial) huge
3. (Portugal, colloquial) fantastic, extraordinary

Derived terms

• brutalismo
• brutalista
• brutalizar
• brutalmente

Related terms

• brutalidade

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Dicionário Aulete Digital (in Portuguese), Rio de Janeiro: Lexikon Editora Digital, 2008–2026
• “brutal”, in Dicionário Infopédia da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Porto: Porto Editora, 2003–2026
• “brutal”, in Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), São Paulo: Editora Melhoramentos, 2015–2026, →ISBN
• “brutal”, in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Lisbon: Priberam, 2008–2026

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French brutal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bruˈtal/

Adjective

brutal m or n (feminine singular brutală, masculine plural brutali, feminine/neuter plural brutale)

1. brutal

Declension

Declension of brutal

		singular			plural
		masculine	neuter	feminine	masculine	neuter	feminine
nominative- accusative	indefinite	brutal		brutală	brutali	brutale
	definite	brutalul		brutala	brutalii	brutalele
genitive- dative	indefinite	brutal		brutale	brutali	brutale
	definite	brutalului		brutalei	brutalilor	brutalelor

Related terms

• brut
• brutalitate
• brutaliza
• brutalizare

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin brūtālis (“savage, stupid”), from brūtus (“dull, stupid”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtal/ [bɾuˈt̪al]
• Rhymes: -al
• Syllabification: bru‧tal

Adjective

brutal m or f (masculine and feminine plural brutales)

1. brutal
2. (colloquial) cool; dope; amazing

   La serie estaba brutal. Ya quiero ver el próximo episodio.

   The series was amazing. I'm eager to watch the next episode.

Derived terms

• brutalidad
• brutalismo
• brutalizar
• brutalmente

Related terms

• bruto

Further reading

• “brutal”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025
• “brutal”, in Diccionario de americanismos [Dictionary of Americanisms] (in Spanish), Association of Academies of the Spanish Language [Spanish: Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española], 2010

Swedish

Etymology

From French brutal from Medieval Latin brutalis, from brūtus.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

brutal (comparative brutalare, superlative brutalast)

1. brutal

Declension

Inflection of brutal

Indefinite	positive	comparative	superlative1
common singular	brutal	brutalare	brutalast
neuter singular	brutalt	brutalare	brutalast
plural	brutala	brutalare	brutalast
masculine plural2	brutale	brutalare	brutalast
Definite	positive	comparative	superlative
masculine singular3	brutale	brutalare	brutalaste
all	brutala	brutalare	brutalaste

¹ The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative.
² Dated or archaic.
³ Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine.

Related terms

• brutalisera

Anagrams

• bultar

Tagalog

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish brutal.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /bɾuˈtal/ [bɾʊˈt̪al]
• Rhymes: -al
• Syllabification: bru‧tal

Adjective

brutál (Baybayin spelling ᜊ᜔ᜇᜓᜆᜎ᜔)

1. brutal; cruel

   Synonyms: napakalupit, marahas, malupit

Related terms

• brutalidad