cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
Synonyms of crueltynext
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 of cruelty

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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
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.
The 48-year-old Rosemead resident was charged Thursday with a misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals, records show. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 These features lend his work an air of cruelty, making people seem like specimens in the hands of a researcher bound by no scientific ethics or norms. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 How has this added to the cruelties Haiti and its people have endured since their successful revolution began in 1791? — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026 Its restrictions cover suicide and self-harm promotion, eating disorder encouragement, body shaming, non-consensual intimate imagery, harassment, and animal cruelty. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruelty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cruelte, from Anglo-French cruelté, from Latin crudelitat-, crudelitas, from crudelis

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruelty was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing cruelty

Browse Nearby Words

cruels
cruelty
cruelty-free
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Cite this Entry

“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü-əl-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment

Legal Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty
plural cruelties
1
a
: an intentional or criminally negligent act that causes pain and suffering
cruelty to animals
cruelty to children
b
: mistreatment or neglect that causes pain and suffering compare abuse

Note: Cruelty is an aggravating circumstance to a crime (as murder).

2
: a spouse's conduct that endangers life or health or causes mental suffering or fear

called also cruel and inhuman treatment

Note: Cruelty is a ground for divorce.

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