1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
b
: a lower animal as distinguished from 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
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
The grand tourer can also accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 209 mph which suggests its successor will be a true beast.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024
Nothing on the scale of the beasts listed above, but still, some big events.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Yet Lan’s fate shows that China and Vietnam remain at their core very similar beasts.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The quest leads to revelations about the underground network, run-ins with dubious characters from above and below and — most welcome of all — tussles with mutant roaches and an underwater beast.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
Punching, biting, clawing, freezing and other attacks are employed by the beasts as well.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
And, though many of us have made peace with the world of food media online—another beast to contend with having plenty of pros and cons—there is simply nothing like diving into to a full print magazine.
—Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But about 100 miles south in Chicago, the city that will play host to the Democrats about a month after Milwaukee, the beast’s nature has been the opposite, organizers and event planners said.
—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Is this menacing incel the beast come to devour Gabrielle?
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024
Nothing on the scale of the beasts listed above, but still, some big events.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Yet Lan’s fate shows that China and Vietnam remain at their core very similar beasts.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The quest leads to revelations about the underground network, run-ins with dubious characters from above and below and — most welcome of all — tussles with mutant roaches and an underwater beast.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
Punching, biting, clawing, freezing and other attacks are employed by the beasts as well.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
And, though many of us have made peace with the world of food media online—another beast to contend with having plenty of pros and cons—there is simply nothing like diving into to a full print magazine.
—Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But about 100 miles south in Chicago, the city that will play host to the Democrats about a month after Milwaukee, the beast’s nature has been the opposite, organizers and event planners said.
—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Is this menacing incel the beast come to devour Gabrielle?
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near beast
Cite this Entry
“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beast
noun1
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
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