cruelty
word
/ˈkɹuəɫti/
KROO-uhl-tee
/kɹˈuːəlti/
KROO-uhl-tee
Definition
Cruelty is behavior that is very mean, hurtful, or causes pain to others on purpose.
Usage & Nuances
'Cruelty' is formal and often used for serious topics like animal cruelty or bullying. Common phrases: 'act of cruelty', 'cruelty to animals/children'. Not for joking or mild unkindness.
Spanish: crueldadPortuguese (BR): crueldadePortuguese (PT): crueldadeChinese (Simplified): 残忍Chinese (Traditional): 殘忍Hindi: क्रूरताArabic: قَسْوَةBengali: নৃশংসতা - নিষ্ঠুরতাRussian: жестокостьJapanese: 残酷さVietnamese: sự tàn ác - sự độc ácKorean: 잔인함 - 학대Turkish: zalimlik - gaddarlıkUrdu: ظلم - سفاکیIndonesian: kekejaman
Example Sentences
Animal cruelty is against the law in many countries.
basic
His cruelty made everyone afraid of him.
basic
They were punished for their cruelty to the children.
basic
No one could believe the level of cruelty shown in that video.
natural
There's no excuse for that kind of cruelty.
natural
Sometimes, a joke can cross the line into cruelty without us realizing.
natural