bestial
UK: ˈbestiəl | US: ˈbestʃəl
adj. resembling or characteristic of a beast; savage, brutal, or inhuman
bestial = besti<beast> + al<adjective suffix>
- besti (from Latin bestia meaning "beast")
- al (a suffix forming adjectives, from Latin -alis, indicating "pertaining to")
Etymology Origin:
The word "bestial" traces back to the Latin bestialis, derived from bestia (beast). It entered Middle English via Old French, retaining its core meaning of "beast-like." Over time, it evolved to emphasize brutish or inhuman behavior, reflecting societal views of animalistic traits as negative. The suffix -al solidifies its role as an adjective, anchoring its descriptive power in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
The dictator's bestial treatment of prisoners shocked the world.
His bestial roar echoed through the forest, terrifying the hunters.
The novel depicts a dystopia where humans revert to bestial instincts.
She recoiled at the bestial violence in the documentary.
Critics condemned the film's glorification of bestial savagery.