English Lexicon

Brutally

/ˈbruː.təl.i/
adverbCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adverb
  1. 1

    In a way that is direct, honest, and unsparing, often to an uncomfortable or painful degree.

    "She was brutally honest about his chances of winning the competition."
  2. 2

    In a violently cruel or savage manner.

    "The winter wind was brutally cold, freezing everything in its path."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the adjective 'brutal', which traces back via Middle French and Latin from the Latin 'brutus' meaning heavy, dull, or irrational. The adverbial suffix '-ly' was added in the late Middle English period to form terms describing harsh, savage, or unsparing manners.

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