Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - brutal

1. A brutal act or person is cruel and violent. He was the victim of a very brutal murder. ...the brutal suppression of anti-government protests... Jensen is a dangerous man, and can be very brutal and reckless. = vicious, savage ADJ • brutally Her real parents had been brutally murdered. ADV: usu ADV with v 2. If someone expresses something unpleasant with brutal honesty or frankness, they express it in a clear and accurate way, without attempting to disguise its unpleasantness. It was refreshing to talk about themselves and their feelings with brutal honesty... He took an anguished breath. He had to be brutal and say it. ADJ • brutally The talks had been brutally frank... ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v 3. Brutal is used to describe things that have an unpleasant effect on people, especially when there is no attempt by anyone to reduce their effect. The dip in prices this summer will be brutal... The 20th century brought brutal change to some countries. ADJ • brutally The early-morning New York air can be brutally cold. ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj