cruel
adjective
willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others.
cruelest
-
superlativeof cruel.superlative
The form of an adjective or adverb indicating the greatest degree of a quality.
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.
But at the same time, even under the cruelest dictatorships, it has still managed to produce fine literature.
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
Eliot famously wrote that “April is the cruelest month.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026
Some Wall Street analysts are insisting that April — contrary to its label as the cruelest month — is actually one of the better months for the U.S. stock market.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 1, 2026
If that’s even 10 percent true, it has to rank as one of the cruelest historical ironies imaginable.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2025
Or unless she’s playing the cruelest game of all.
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
