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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

brutal

/ˈbɹu.təl/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does brutal mean?

adjective

  1. Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel, often in an unintelligent manner.
  2. Crude or unfeeling in manner or speech.
  3. Harsh; unrelenting.
More meanings (3)

adjective

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

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈbɹu.təl/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

I prayed that she might not forget that she was to be the victim of a brutal attempt at two o’clock precisely.
Anthony HopeThe prisoner of ZendaProject Gutenberg ebook #95
Williamson, the ex-clergyman, bowed to us with mock politeness, and the bully, Woodley, advanced with a shout of brutal and exultant laughter.
Arthur Conan DoyleThe Return of Sherlock HolmesProject Gutenberg ebook #108
More book examples (3)
Was he alone, that long night, whose brave, loving spirit was bearing up, in that old shed, against buffeting and brutal stripes?
Harriet Beecher StoweUncle Tom's CabinProject Gutenberg ebook #203
Poor P---, whose only crime was trying to defend himself with fist and candlestick from the manual attacks of his brutal messmates.
George BorrowWild Wales: Its People, Language and SceneryProject Gutenberg ebook #648
I saw him through the window, seizing his horse’s mane, and mounting in his blundering brutal manner, and sidling and backing away.
Charles DickensGreat ExpectationsProject Gutenberg ebook #1400