cruel
adjective
willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others.
cruelly
-
a word derived from
cruel.
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.
Japanese cities are experiencing "cruelly hot days", a new meteorological term devised this year to warn people of intense heat above 40C, with heatstroke alerts issued across almost the whole country.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Am I so cruelly esoteric that mainstream ideas of gayness do nothing for me?
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
The term - kokushobi - has been translated as "cruelly hot", "brutally hot" or "severely hot" day by Japanese and international media.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
For many cancer patients and their loved ones, it’s easier to expect the worst and hope for the best than it is to expect the best, only to be cruelly disappointed.
From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2026
“As a child, Lord Fredrick was cruelly teased for barking and howling when the moon was full. The Incorrigibles’ wolfish behavior reminded him of his own, but they had no shame about it.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
