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Showing results for cruelty. Search instead for cruelti.
Definitions

cruelty

[kroo-uhl-tee] / ˈkru əl ti /
NOUN
brutality, harshness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbarism barbarity inhumanity malice persecution savagery torture
STRONG
animality bestiality bloodthirstiness callousness coarseness coldness depravity despotism ferocity fierceness heartlessness insensibility insensitiveness malignity masochism mercilessness murderousness rancor ruthlessness sadism savageness severity spite spitefulness truculence unfeelingness unkindness venom viciousness wickedness
WEAK
brutishness fiendishness hard-heartedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kindness
STRONG
love
WEAK
charity compassion consideration feeling gentility mercy niceness thoughtfulness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It's just cruelty and collective punishment," Jayapal added.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

"My children are restless. Not being able to hear their voices is driving me insane. This is truly the height of cruelty and oppression for a mother."

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

This is a novel about pettiness, middle-class superficiality, disloyalty, prejudice and cruelty, with this coterie of rather vile friends acting as a microcosm for a society in decline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Her gleeful cruelty was matched only by the audacity of her incompetence.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“Mr. Scoresby, that is the way this world works. And if you want to put an end to cruelty and injustice, you must take me farther on. I have a job to do.”

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman