mental cruelty

noun

1. behaviour that causes distress to another person but that does not involve physical assault

Example Sentences

She claimed one of the standard grounds for at-fault divorce: an elastic legal term, “extreme mental cruelty.”

From Los Angeles Times

Stella also protects the girls from Father, who has an explosive temper, a penchant for mental cruelty and a way of embracing his kids that looks a lot like sexual assault.

From Los Angeles Times

“We take it upon ourselves to write this letter, regardless of any action the naval authorities may take or whatever the consequences may be. We only know that it could not possibly surpass the mental cruelty inflicted upon us on this ship.”

From New York Times

Gardner divorced Rooney on May 21, 1943, citing mental cruelty and later, disclosing his infidelity and gambling habits.

From Salon

They cover the body-shaming and the mental cruelty, as well as the sexual exploitation.

From Los Angeles Times