CRUEL Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cruel' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cruel are barbarous , ferocious , fierce , and savage . While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it. // the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Q: When is 'barbarous' a more appropriate choice than 'cruel'?

The synonyms barbarous and cruel are sometimes interchangeable, but barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people. // barbarous treatment of prisoners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ferocious' instead of 'cruel'?

While the synonyms ferocious and cruel are close in meaning, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality. // a ferocious dog

Q: When could 'fierce' be used to replace 'cruel'?

The meanings of fierce and cruel largely overlap; however, fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. // fierce warriors

Q: In what contexts can 'savage' take the place of 'cruel'?

Although the words savage and cruel have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion. // a savage criminal

cruel

adjective

ˈkrü(-ə)l

Definition of cruel next

as in brutal

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others a cruel dictator who tortured anyone who dared to speak out against him cruel and unusual punishments are forbidden by the U.S. Constitution

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harsh

difficult to endure the cruel climate of the Arctic

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as in painful

hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the cruel situation of being orphaned at an early age

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as in malicious

having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it the bully was fond of making cruel little jabs at his victim's sore points

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cruel different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cruel are barbarous, ferocious, fierce, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

When is barbarous a more appropriate choice than cruel?

The synonyms barbarous and cruel are sometimes interchangeable, but barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

When is it sensible to use ferocious instead of cruel?

While the synonyms ferocious and cruel are close in meaning, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

When could fierce be used to replace cruel?

The meanings of fierce and cruel largely overlap; however, fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

In what contexts can savage take the place of cruel?

Although the words savage and cruel have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cruel In a cruel twist of fate, the 72-year-old beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother lost his life two weeks ago, this time to two men in a robbery inside his Rochester Hills home, about a 35-minute drive from his jewelry store and pawn shop. —

Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 29 Oct. 2024 Yet Waters began the season out of Kerr’s 12-man rotation, the victim of a cruel numbers game that a deep roster creates. —

Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024 Rooted in a myth suggesting that ravens were negligent or cruel because their babies typically left their nests at a young age, rabenmütter is a term used to guilt German mothers who emphasize their careers. —

Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 30 Oct. 2024 Are the individuals to blame, or are they impelled by a cruel society or a divinely sanctioned hand? —

Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cruel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruel

Adjective

Tyson was known for his brutal knockouts, as his first 19 fights ended early — 12 in the first round.

Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
In our age of brutal wars, authoritarian politics, cultures of contempt, and technology that promises to replace us with machines, what is left of the idea of the human being?

George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024