cruelty
Americannoun
plural
cruelties-
the state or quality of being cruel.
- Synonyms:
- atrocity, inhumanity, barbarity, ruthlessness, brutality, harshness
-
cruel disposition or conduct.
- Antonyms:
- kindness
-
a cruel act.
- Antonyms:
- kindness
-
Law. conduct by a spouse that causes grievous bodily harm or mental suffering.
noun
-
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
Other Word Forms
- anticruelty adjective
- self-cruelty noun
Etymology
Origin of cruelty
1175–1225; Middle English cruelte < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin crūdēlitāt- (stem of crūdēlitās ). See cruel, -ity
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.
“I think the first family that I heard about where I recognized the cruelty and the inhumanity of it all was the Gonzalez family,” he said, referring to Quintino’s parents.
From Los Angeles Times
He claimed that instances of what he considered "cruelty and neglect" were due to poor culture and unqualified staff who "didn't have enough experience".
From BBC
Rather than centering himself as a victim, he framed the incident as a test of national character, urging Americans to reject political cruelty and recommit to shared democratic values.
From Salon
The episode begins with the host asking him to comment on US "discourse", which he says "has devolved to a level of cruelty that we haven't seen before".
From BBC
The couple remain angry Chan was not charged with cruelty, in relation to the video of their son crying.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
