cruelly
KROO-uh-lee
Cruelly (adv) means In a way that causes deliberate pain or suffering; mercilessly. Example: “The prisoners were treated cruelly by their captors.”
adv
1
In a way that causes deliberate pain or suffering; mercilessly.
"The prisoners were treated cruelly by their captors."
2
To a harsh or bitter degree.
"The joke was cruelly accurate."
How to use cruelly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone in a harsh, merciless way.
Common pairings
treated cruelly
cruelly mocked
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more cruelly
- Superlative
- most cruelly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prisoners were treated _____ by their captors.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English cruelly, made up of cruel and -ly.
Rhymes for cruelly
See all rhymes for cruelly →Frequently asked questions
What does “cruelly” mean?
The word “cruelly” means in a way that causes deliberate pain or suffering; mercilessly. In plain terms, done in a harsh, merciless way.
How do you pronounce “cruelly”?
“Cruelly” is pronounced KROO-uh-lee (/ˈkɹuːəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “cruelly” in a sentence?
Here is “cruelly” used in a sentence: “The prisoners were treated cruelly by their captors.”
What part of speech is “cruelly”?
“Cruelly” is an adverb.
How many meanings does “cruelly” have?
“Cruelly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that causes deliberate pain or suffering; mercilessly.
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