Meaning & use
cruelty
Deliberate behavior that causes pain or suffering to others without concern for their feelings.
See it in a sentence
The new law increased penalties for cruelty toward animals.
Historians have documented the cruelty inflicted on prisoners during the war.
A note on using this word
Cruelty describes intentional infliction of suffering, distinguishing it from mere carelessness or accidental harm.
Words with a similar meaning
brutalityviciousness
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cruelty”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.