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.

Altman didn’t build a culture of silence through cruelty.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

That image is a family portrait, albeit one crisscrossed with cruelty and deception, including fraudulent bloodlines.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

It really showcases her talent for the English language by fitting so much cruelty and stupidity into just six words.

From Salon • May 11, 2026

Figures obtained by BBC News NI also show that during the past five years there were 262 convictions at court in Northern Ireland for animal welfare or cruelty offences.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

“Who are you? Why are you doing this?”—as though cruelty and callousness were the norm, ordinary decency the marvel.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing cruelty

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

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Real-Life Superheroes

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The Subtle Knife

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!