Bestial vs. Feral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Bestial refers to behavior that is brutally savage or animal-like, while feral describes a domesticated animal that has gone wild.
Difference Between Bestial and Feral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bestial conveys the notion of savagery and a lack of humanity, often used metaphorically to describe inhuman acts. Feral, in contrast, is used literally to describe animals that have returned to the wild from a state of domestication.
The term bestial suggests a level of brutality and beastliness in actions or nature, implying a descent from civility and morality. Feral, however, simply denotes a wild state, particularly in animals that were once domesticated, without the inherent negative moral judgment.
Bestial is a word that captures the essence of being beast-like, often in a derogatory sense when applied to human behavior. Feral does not carry the same moral connotations; it is more neutral, a descriptor of an animal’s living condition or behavioral state.
When describing criminal acts of extreme violence, the word bestial might be used to highlight their sheer inhumanity. Meanwhile, feral would be inappropriate in this context unless describing an animal that behaves with natural wild instincts, especially after living away from human contact.
In literature, bestial can be used to amplify the severity of a character's actions or to describe a transformation from human to animalistic traits. On the other hand, feral might be used to describe a character who has grown up isolated from society and behaves in a wild, untamed manner.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Negative, brutal, savage
Neutral, wild state
Usage Context
Describing brutal acts or nature
Describing animals or occasionally humans
Associated With
Inhumanity, moral descent
Wild instincts, survival
Implication
Moral judgment, extreme negativity
No moral judgment, state of being
Relation to Humans
Often metaphorical for human behavior
Literal for animals, sometimes humans
Compare with Definitions
Bestial
Behaving in a beast-like and inhuman manner
The villain’s bestial nature was frightening.
Feral
A domesticated animal that has become wild
The feral cat avoided all human contact.
Bestial
Reflecting the worst aspects of animals
In the war, soldiers can sometimes be driven to bestial behavior.
Feral
Not cultivated or civilized, wild
Her feral beauty was mesmerizing and untamed.
Bestial
Characterized by savagery and brutality
The crime scene depicted a bestial act.
Feral
A feral animal or plant (from Latin: fera, 'a wild beast') is one that lives in the wild but is descended from domesticated specimens. As with an introduced species, the introduction of feral animals or plants to non-native regions may disrupt ecosystems and has, in some cases, contributed to extinction of indigenous species.
Bestial
Pertaining to or resembling an animal
His bestial roar echoed through the arena.
Feral
Having returned to an untamed state from domestication
A pack of feral dogs.
Bestial
Of or like an animal or animals
Darwin's revelations about our bestial beginnings
Feral
Existing in a wild or untamed state.
Bestial
Of or resembling a beast
A bestial roar.
Feral
Of or suggestive of a wild animal; savage
A feral grin.
Bestial
Marked by brutality or depravity; brutal or depraved
Capable of the most bestial acts imaginable.
Feral
Wild, untamed.
Bestial
Beast-like
Feral
Of an animal, being wild but descended from domestic or captive animals.
Bestial
Cattle.
Feral
(of a person) Contemptible, unruly, misbehaved.
Bestial
Belonging to a beast, or to the class of beasts.
Among the bestial herds to range.
Feral
Deadly, fatal.
Bestial
Having the qualities of a beast; brutal; below the dignity of reason or humanity; irrational; carnal; beastly; sensual.
Feral
Of or pertaining to the dead, funereal.
Bestial
A domestic animal; also collectively, cattle; as, other kinds of bestial.
Feral
A domesticated animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
Bestial
Resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility;
Beastly desires
A bestial nature
Brute force
A dull and brutish man
Bestial treatment of prisoners
Feral
A contemptible young person, a lout, a person who behaves wildly.
Bestial
Lacking human feelings of pity or remorse
He was feared for his bestial indifference.
Feral
A person who has isolated themselves from the outside world; one living an alternative lifestyle.
Feral
A character in furry art or literature which has the physical characteristics (body) of a regular animal (typically quadripedal), that may or may not be able to communicate with humans or anthros (contrasts anthro)
The story is about a group of ferals which have to explore the ruins of society after the humans die out.
Feral
Wild; untamed; ferine; not domesticated; - said of beasts, birds, and plants.
Feral
Funereal; deadly; fatal; dangerous.
Feral
Wild and menacing;
A ferocious dog
Feral
Wild and menacing in nature or appearance
He had a feral look in his eyes.
Feral
Returning to a natural state, as in wildlife
Feral pigs roamed the abandoned farmland.
Feral
Living in a wild state, especially after captivity
The feral dog relied on its instincts to survive.
Common Curiosities
Can bestial be used to describe animals?
Bestial is typically used to describe human behavior, not animals.
Are feral animals always aggressive?
Not necessarily; feral simply means they live in the wild, not domesticated.
What does feral mean?
Feral refers to an animal that has escaped domestication and returned to the wild.
Can a person be called feral?
Yes, if they exhibit wild, untamed behaviors or have grown up in a wild environment.
Can feral animals become domesticated again?
With time and patience, some feral animals can be re-domesticated.
What does bestial mean?
Bestial describes behavior that is extremely brutal, like that of a wild beast.
Does bestial imply a loss of control?
Yes, it can imply a loss of rational control and giving in to animal instincts.
Can feral apply to plants?
Yes, if domesticated plants revert to a wild state, they can be called feral.
Can bestial be used positively?
Bestial is generally negative and refers to brutish or savage qualities.
Does bestial refer to physical appearance?
It can, but it more commonly refers to behavior rather than appearance.
How does society view feral animals?
Views can vary, but often they are seen as a nuisance or a threat to the environment.
Is bestiality the same as bestial?
No, bestiality specifically refers to sexual acts between humans and animals.
What might cause an animal to become feral?
Animals may become feral if lost, abandoned, or if they escape captivity.
Are there any synonyms for bestial?
Yes, synonyms include brutish, beastly, and savage.
Is bestial ever used in a legal context?
It can be used to describe particularly heinous crimes in a moral context.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
