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.

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

"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

Leonardo dislikes violence and cruelty so much that he’s a vegetarian—rare at the time.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

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

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