cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē 
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
a
: a cruel action
b
: inhuman treatment
3
: marital conduct held (as in a divorce action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental suffering or fear
Synonyms
Examples of cruelty in a Sentence
a dictator known for his cruelty
The cruelty of children can be surprising.
They protested against cruelty to animals.
Recent Examples on the Web
By the time this piece comes out, Moo Deng’s appearance on Weekend Update will have been overshadowed by Yang kissing Ariana Grande in a skit about family charades gone awry and Mariah Carey protesting the cruelty of overhead lighting on Las Culturistas.
—
Sarah Burke, Them, 23 Oct. 2024
Wilder’s film, for all its offbeat humor and quotable zingers, was always about the ugliness of Hollywood and the monstrous cruelty of an industry that drains its players like a vampire does its victims.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, his courtship of Ivana (Maria Bakalova) devolves from romance to prenup to cruelty.
—The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
His father, Colin Gray, was indicted on 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
—Mallika Kallingal, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
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Sarah Burke, Them, 23 Oct. 2024
Wilder’s film, for all its offbeat humor and quotable zingers, was always about the ugliness of Hollywood and the monstrous cruelty of an industry that drains its players like a vampire does its victims.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, his courtship of Ivana (Maria Bakalova) devolves from romance to prenup to cruelty.
—The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
His father, Colin Gray, was indicted on 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
—Mallika Kallingal, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cruelty
Dictionary Entries Near cruelty
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü-əl-tē
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment
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