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Synonyms

theater of cruelty

American  

noun

  1. a form of surrealist theater originated by Antonin Artaud and emphasizing the cruelty of human existence by portraying sadistic acts and intense suffering.


Etymology

Origin of theater of cruelty

1950–55; translation of French théâtre de la cruauté


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.

See Examples For:

The ideas set her on fire, and they are certainly better than the theater of cruelty that is Peter’s court.

From Slate ● May 15, 2020

He was inspired by Antonin Artaud, a 20th century French dramatist who conceptualized a theater of cruelty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2019

“What level of poetry and abstraction are we dealing with in this case, as opposed to balls-to-the-wall theater of cruelty and violence? And who knows who’s going to be in the audience and seeing this?”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2019

This harshly lighted theater of cruelty is the dramatic heart of “Monday Mornings.”

From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2013

The theater of anger turned into the theater of cruelty.

From Time Magazine Archive

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