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View synonyms for

cruelty

[ kroo-uhl-tee ]

noun

plural cruelties
  1. the state or quality of being cruel.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  2. cruel disposition or conduct.

    Antonyms:

  3. a cruel act.

    Antonyms:

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


cruelty

/ ˈːəɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • t·ı·ٲ adjective
  • -ı·ٲ noun plural selfcruelties
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cruelty1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

“This type of cruelty has no place in our community,” said Police Chief Wally Hebeish in the post.

From

“The Trump administration operates, in many ways, on a mix of cruelty and incompetence,” she said.

From

Campaigners are demanding Scotland follow Wales in committing to outlaw what they describe as outright animal cruelty.

From

Sadly, President Trump and Vice President JD Vance — a Catholic who met with the pope shortly before his death — have chosen to treat many immigrants with terrible cruelty.

From

“Patrol officers have responded to the area and taken an animal cruelty report, as the incident had not been previously reported to the department,” the department wrote in an X post on Monday.

From

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cruel to be kindcruelty-free