cruelty

[ kroo-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural cru·el·ties

1. the state or quality of being cruel.

   Synonyms: ruthlessness, harshness, atrocity, inhumanity, barbarity, brutality

2. cruel disposition or conduct.

   Antonyms: kindness

3. a cruel act.

   Antonyms: kindness

4. Law. conduct by a spouse that causes grievous bodily harm or mental suffering.

cruelty

/ ˈkruːəltɪ /

noun

1. deliberate infliction of pain or suffering
2. the quality or characteristic of being cruel
3. a cruel action
4. law conduct that causes danger to life or limb or a threat to bodily or mental health, on proof of which a decree of divorce may be granted

Other Words From

• anti·cruel·ty adjective
• self-cruel·ty noun plural selfcruelties

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruelty¹

1175–1225; Middle English cruelte < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin crūdēlitāt- (stem of crūdēlitās ). See cruel, -ity

Example Sentences

He is also inflicting more cruelty on the women involved in these alleged sex parties.

From Salon

Philosophers, going back to Plato and Aristotle, have observed a link between comedy and cruelty.

From Salon

Shemwell, who was 21 at the time but is now 24, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the same court after she admitted two counts of child cruelty in December last year.

From BBC

I won’t forget such cruelty, but in my struggle to stay engaged, I will seek out humor as needed.

From Los Angeles Times

And most urgently now, how violence, lies and cruelty work in and on our brains, and how to stop it.

From Salon

Related Words

• barbarism
• barbarity
• inhumanity
• malice
• persecution
• savagery
• torture