cruel Definition
- 1willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it
- 2causing or helping to cause suffering or unpleasantness to animals
Using cruel: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cruel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
It was cruel of him to leave her alone.
Example
The treatment of prisoners was unnecessarily cruel.
Example
The dog had been subjected to cruel treatment by its owner.
Example
The children were punished in a cruel and unusual way.
cruel Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for cruel
- savage
- brutal
- barbarous
- inhuman
- vicious
Antonyms for cruel
Phrases with cruel
cruel and unusual punishment
a form of punishment that is considered unacceptable due to its severity, cruelty, or inhumanity
Example
The death penalty is considered by some to be a cruel and unusual punishment.
Example
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, like when you have to discipline your child for their own good.
cruel intentions
a hidden or malicious motive behind seemingly kind or helpful actions
Example
I don't trust his offer to help me; I think he has cruel intentions.
Origins of cruel
from Old French 'cruel', from Latin 'crudelis', meaning 'rude, unfeeling'
Summary: cruel in Brief
The term 'cruel' [kruːəl] describes willful infliction of pain or suffering on others, or lack of concern about it. It can also refer to causing suffering or unpleasantness to animals. Examples include 'The treatment of prisoners was unnecessarily cruel.' and 'The dog had been subjected to cruel treatment by its owner.' The phrase 'cruel and unusual punishment' denotes unacceptable forms of punishment, while 'cruel to be kind' means being harsh to help someone in the long run.
