Basic Details
Word: Brutal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Extremely cruel or harsh; very severe.
Synonyms: Cruel, savage, ruthless
Antonyms: Kind, gentle, mild
Idioms and Phrases
- Brutal honesty: The act of being very truthful, even if it hurts someone's feelings. Example: "She appreciated his brutal honesty when he told her the truth about her report."
- Brutal truth: A truth that is very difficult to accept. Example: "The brutal truth is that we didn't prepare well enough for the exam."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The brutal winter made it challenging for people to go outside without proper clothing.
Example 2: The movie was filled with brutal scenes that showed the harsh realities of war.
Example 3: The coach's brutal training sessions pushed the team to their limits but improved their performance.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "brutal" comes from the Latin word "brutalis," which means "beastly" or "rough"? It reflects how cruel and inhumane behaviours can sometimes seem animalistic in nature.
Famous Quote
"In this world, there is no mercy. There are only brutal choices." — John Steinbeck
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "brutal" mean?
a) Very gentle
b) Extremely cruel or harsh
c) Very funny
d) Quite friendly
Answer: b) Extremely cruel or harsh
2. Which of these is a synonym of "brutal"?
a) Kind
b) Savage
c) Gentle
d) Calm
Answer: b) Savage
3. What is an antonym of "brutal"?
a) Ruthless
b) Severe
c) Kind
d) Harsh
Answer: c) Kind
4. Which sentence uses "brutal" correctly?
a) The brutal kitten played gently with the yarn.
b) The brutal teacher always smiled at her students.
c) The match was brutal, leaving both teams exhausted by the end.
d) The cake was brutally sweet and delicious.
Answer: c) The match was brutal, leaving both teams exhausted by the end.
5. What does the idiom "brutal honesty" mean?
a) Kindness in truth
b) Truth that is very difficult to accept
c) Always being polite
d) Gentle truths
Answer: b) Truth that is very difficult to accept
