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
Kyle Vigneault, 27, faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, risk of injury to a child and cruelty to persons, according to the Norwalk Police Department.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025
Instead, her countenance is ambiguous — stern, perhaps capable of cruelty, but not without a hint of kindness, as viewers have told him.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Season 2 Has Answers The Genius of Severance's Grand Central Pop-Up
Ben Stiller on Severance's Creator Dan Erickson
The thing that ends up giving Helena away is her cruelty.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
This is another proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the terrorist organization Hamas.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cruelty 
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Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025
Instead, her countenance is ambiguous — stern, perhaps capable of cruelty, but not without a hint of kindness, as viewers have told him.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Season 2 Has Answers The Genius of Severance's Grand Central Pop-Up
Ben Stiller on Severance's Creator Dan Erickson
The thing that ends up giving Helena away is her cruelty.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
This is another proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the terrorist organization Hamas.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
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 19 Feb. 2025.
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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