What does bestially mean?
Bestially is an adverb meaning in a cruel, savage, or beastlike manner. It is used to describe actions that show a complete disregard for human dignity, suffering, or ordinary moral restraint. Although it literally evokes the behavior of an animal, the word is normally more than a neutral comparison: calling conduct bestially signals that it is brutal, inhumane, or degrading. The adverb appears especially in literary contexts, historical writing, news reporting, and forceful political or moral criticism. It is less typical in casual conversation, where other expressions may be preferred for similar ideas. Bestially was formed from the adjective bestial with the suffix -ly. The adjective comes through Latin bestialis, meaning “of or relating to beasts,” ultimately from Latin bestia, “beast” or “animal.” Because bestially carries such a strong accusation, it is especially effective when a writer wants to characterize an action as not merely harsh, but fundamentally inhumane.
adverbIn a beastlike manner, especially with cruelty, savagery, or disregard for human suffering.
- In a beastlike manner, especially with cruelty, savagery, or disregard for human suffering.
"The prisoners were treated so bestially that even the guards felt ashamed of their conduct."
"The invaders attacked the village bestially, burning homes and indiscriminately killing the inhabitants."
"She condemned the treatment of the animals as bestially cruel."
Bestially turns the idea of a beast into a forceful judgment on conduct that abandons human decency.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does bestially come from?
Bestially was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to bestial. The adjective bestial derives from Latin bestialis, meaning “of or relating to a beast,” from bestia, the Latin word for “beast” or “animal.” The same Latin root also produced words such as bestiary, bestiality, and, through Old French, beast.
How bestially is actually used
Bestially is formal, literary, and strongly evaluative. It usually conveys deliberate cruelty or savagery, not merely unusual animal-like behavior.
Easily confused with bestially
Bestial is an adjective describing something associated with beasts or brute cruelty, whereas bestially is the adverb describing how an action is performed.
Bestially means in a cruel or beastlike manner, while beastly can mean extremely unpleasant, contemptible, or cruel and is often less formal in tone.