The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word BRUTAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
R
U
T
A
L
More clues leading to the result BRUTAL
- Savage, not sweet, with Article 50
- Harsh routine in workplace set up
- Frank's very dry with a learner
- Unsparing curbing of habit by party from the right
- Dry and windy US city can be very harsh
- Frank, dry, on alcohol following vacation
- Dry with a lake being reduced to minimum? That’s cruel
- Animal research facility about to introduce a tedious course
- Inhuman routine in scientific establishment retracted
- Blurt out about article being vicious
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Animal" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case animal = brutal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BRUTAL mean?
BRUTAL adjective- Savagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel
- Crude or unfeeling in manner or speech.
- Harsh; unrelenting
- Disagreeably precise or penetrating
- In extreme metal, to describe the speed of the music and the density of riffs.