brutish
|brut-ish|
/ˈbruːtɪʃ/
like a brute; cruel or animal-like
Etymology
'brutish' ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the word 'brutus', where 'brutus' meant 'heavy, dull, or stupid'.
'brutus' passed into Old French (as 'brut'/'brute') and Middle English as 'brut'/'brute', from which English formed the adjective 'brutish'.
Initially it referred to being 'of or like a brute' (with senses of heaviness or dullness), and over time it came to mean 'cruel, savage, or lacking civility', while retaining the sense of being animal-like or coarse.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
cruel, savage, or unfeeling; showing a lack of compassion or civil behaviour.
The regime used brutish tactics to suppress dissent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
resembling or characteristic of a brute; physically violent, coarse, or animal-like.
He reacted in a brutish way, grabbing the glass and smashing it on the table.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 3
stupid or coarse-minded; lacking intellectual refinement.
Dismissing the issue with a brusque, brutish comment showed his lack of thought.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/29 04:29