Cruelty

/ˈkruːəlti/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The quality of being cruel; actions or attitudes that cause pain or suffering to others.

The cruelty of the storm left the town in despair.

A deliberate act of causing pain or suffering to someone or something.

He was charged with cruelty to animals after leaving his dog outside in the freezing cold.

A situation or event involving harsh treatment or unfairness.

The cruelty of war affects countless civilians who lose their homes.

From Middle English cruelte, from Old French cruelté, from Latin crudelitas.

cruelty to animals

The abuse or mistreatment of animals.

act of cruelty

An action intended to cause pain or distress.

brutal

Savagely violent.

inhumane

Lacking compassion for humanity.

Cold-hearted behavior.

That was some real cruelty to ditch him like that.

Being unnecessarily harsh.

Her comments were pure cruelty.