beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from other animals

b

: an animal that is not a human being

c

: an animal as distinguished from a plant

d

: an animal under human control

2

: a contemptible person

3

: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

Synonyms of beast

• brute
• villain
• monster
• savage
• devil
• criminal

Examples of beast in a Sentence

dogs and other four-footed beasts

the birds and beasts of the forest

They were attacked by a savage beast.

He's a cruel, hateful beast!

Recent Examples on the Web

Hall has been a beast in and around the blue paint, where the goals are scored at this time of year. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026

Alas, that’s probably too much alpha beast for one locker room to handle. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 May 2026

Clark explains to the monster that the therapist has validated him, and the beast responds by devouring him. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

The drink menu is presented as a deck of Pokémon-like trading cards, each featuring a cocktail styled after a different folkloric beast from around the world. —Mariette Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing beast

• beast epic
• beast fable
• beast mode
• beast of burden
• different beast
• go beast mode
• the belly of the beast

Rhymes for beast

• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones

b

: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work

2

: a mean or brutal person