What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bruisingly
Example
The boxer delivered a bruisingly powerful punch to his opponent's face. [bruisingly: adverb]
Example
She endured a bruisingly competitive job interview that left her mentally drained. [bruisingly: adverb]
cruelly
Example
The dictator ruled the country cruelly, suppressing any form of dissent. [cruelly: adverb]
Example
The children were treated cruelly by their neglectful parents. [cruelly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cruelly is more commonly used than bruisingly in everyday language. Cruelly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts where intentional harm or unkindness is involved, while bruisingly is less common and used to describe impactful or challenging experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bruisingly and cruelly?
While bruisingly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, cruelly can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the severity of the situation or behavior being described.
