cruelty

[kroo-uhl-tee]

noun

plural

cruelties 

1. the state or quality of being cruel.

   Synonyms: atrocity, inhumanity, barbarity, ruthlessness, brutality, harshness

2. cruel disposition or conduct.

   Antonyms: kindness

3. a cruel act.

   Antonyms: kindness

4. Law.,  conduct by a spouse that causes grievous bodily harm or mental suffering.

cruelty

/ ˈkruːəltɪ /

noun

1. deliberate infliction of pain or suffering

2. the quality or characteristic of being cruel

3. a cruel action

4. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruelty¹

1175–1225; Middle English cruelte < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin crūdēlitāt- (stem of crūdēlitās ). See cruel, -ity

Example Sentences

There have been numerous variations on “the cruelty is the point” since then, but Serwer’s take remains the original.

Read more on Salon

“Their refusal to provide this family with answers, their refusal to provide his attorneys with answers, says something about the lack of care and the cruelty of the moment right now for DHS.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As Sook tells a shamed Buddy, “there is only one unpardonable sin—deliberate cruelty. All else can be forgiven.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead, it’s clear he’s comfortable letting his record — and his stand against Republican cruelty — speak for itself.

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“This was a monstrous act of cruelty that shattered an entire family,” L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barbarism 
• barbarity 
• inhumanity 
• malice 
• persecution 
• savagery 
• torture