cruelty
[kroo-uhl-tee]
- the state or quality of being cruel.
- cruel disposition or conduct.
- a cruel act.
- Law. conduct by a spouse that causes grievous bodily harm or mental suffering.
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Origin of cruelty
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
2, 3. kindness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
savagery, torture, inhumanity, malice, barbarity, persecution, barbarism, bestiality, rancor, despotism, sadism, wickedness, severity, spite, animality, fierceness, venom, depravity, ferocity, insensibilityExamples from the Web for cruelty
Contemporary Examples
Another American officer, Capt. Edwin Glenn, was convicted of cruelty in a non-fatal turn-of-the-century case in the Philippines.
So, in the midst of all this chaos and cruelty to one another, what difference does having faith make?
He also had a reputation for cruelty in a particularly cruel conflict.
But here's the thing: despite all its darkness and cruelty, the show ultimately doesn't tolerate c--ts.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal WeddingAndrew Romano
April 14, 2014
Later she would boast crudely that he was ‘big where it mattered’, but there was also a streak of cruelty in his lovemaking.
Historical Examples
The scene of Turkish cruelty was now transferred to the isle of Crete.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Only, the cruelty must be whitewashed by a moral excuse, and a pretence of reluctance.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
The tender women, and helpless children, fell victims to their cruelty.
The Adventures of Colonel Daniel BooneJohn Filson
There was nothing of the Warden's estimate in these eyes; nothing of cruelty nor deceit nor greed.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Now, after all I have suffered, you have the cruelty to tell me so?
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
cruelty
- deliberate infliction of pain or suffering
- the quality or characteristic of being cruel
- a cruel action
- law conduct that causes danger to life or limb or a threat to bodily or mental health, on proof of which a decree of divorce may be granted
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for cruelty
n.
early 13c., from Old French crualté (12c., Modern French cruauté), from Latin crudelitatem (nominative crudelitas) "cruelty," from crudelis (see cruel).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper