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What is the difference between brutal and cruel?

brutal | cruel |

Cruel is a synonym of brutal.



As adjectives the difference between brutal and cruel

is that brutal is (savagely violent)Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel while cruel is not nice; mean; heartless.

As a verb cruel is

to spoil or ruin (one's chance of success.

brutal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (senseid)Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel
  • Crude or unfeeling in manner or speech.
  • Harsh; unrelenting
  • Disagreeably precise or penetrating
  • (music, figuratively) In extreme metal, to describe the speed of the music and the density of riffs.
  • Synonyms

    * barbaric * cold-blooded * savage * vicious

    Antonyms

    * gentle * kind

    cruel

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Not nice; mean; heartless.
  • The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.
  • (slang) Cool; awesome; neat.
  • Synonyms

    * brutal * sadistic * vicious

    Antonyms

    * merciful

    Derived terms

    * cruelly

    Verb

  • To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)
  • Anagrams

    * * ----