cruelty
KROOL-tee
Cruelty (noun) means the quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity. Example: “The documentary exposed shocking cruelty toward the animals.”
noun
1
The quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity.
"The documentary exposed shocking cruelty toward the animals."
"The charity works to end cruelty to horses."
"Nobody could understand the cruelty with which the stepmother treated the girl in the story."
2
A cruel act.
"The soldiers committed countless cruelties during the occupation."
"The history book lists the many cruelties suffered by prisoners in that era."
"Leaving the dog out in the cold all night was a small cruelty he later regretted."
How to use cruelty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeliberate harshness or mistreatment, or a specific cruel act.
Common pairings
animal cruelty
acts of cruelty
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Word forms
- Plural
- cruelties
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The documentary exposed shocking _____ toward the animals.
Etymology
From Old French crualté, from Latin crudelitas, related to "cruel."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cruelty
See all rhymes for cruelty →Frequently asked questions
What does “cruelty” mean?
The word “cruelty” means the quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity. In plain terms, deliberate harshness or mistreatment, or a specific cruel act.
How do you pronounce “cruelty”?
“Cruelty” is pronounced KROOL-tee (/ˈkɹuː(ə)lti/ in IPA).
How do you use “cruelty” in a sentence?
Here is “cruelty” used in a sentence: “The documentary exposed shocking cruelty toward the animals.”
What part of speech is “cruelty”?
“Cruelty” is a noun.
Where does the word “cruelty” come from?
The word “cruelty” comes from Latin. From Old French crualté, from Latin crudelitas, related to "cruel.".
Is “cruelty” a common word?
“Cruelty” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cruelty” have?
“Cruelty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity.
What is the difference between cruelty and abuse?
Cruelty refers to the quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering without pity, while abuse describes the broader pattern of mistreatment itself. Cruelty is often the motive or character trait behind an abusive act, whereas abuse is the harmful behavior in general, which can sometimes happen without deliberate intent to cause suffering.
What is the difference between cruelty and violence?
Violence refers to physical force that causes harm, while cruelty specifically involves a deliberate intent to cause pain or suffering without pity. An act can be violent without being cruel if there is no intent to inflict suffering, and cruelty can occur without physical violence, such as through emotional or verbal mistreatment.
Can cruelty be unintentional?
No, by definition cruelty involves deliberately causing pain or suffering, so an unintentional act that causes harm is not usually described as cruel. If the suffering was caused carelessly rather than on purpose, words like negligence or carelessness are more accurate.
