Words / B2

BROOTL/ˈbruːtl/

Brutal means violently cruel, or very harsh: a brutal attack, brutal honesty, brutal heat. Cruel is everyday; savage is close and literary; harsh covers weather and criticism without blood. Brutality is the noun. In speech, vicious / extremely harsh is enough. Brutal honesty is a set phrase (blunt to the point of pain). Do not use brutal for a slightly tough exam unless you want exaggeration.

Meaning

Violently cruel, or very harsh.

Examples

• “The film showed a brutal attack.”
• “The report described a brutal assault; the courtroom stayed silent for a moment.”
• “Brutal honesty about the draft hurt, and it also saved a wasted reprint.”

Good to know

Violently cruel, or extremely harsh. Noun: brutality. Everyday: cruel / harsh. Set phrase: brutal honesty. Strong; not a mildly hard test.

Near in meaning

cruel

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