cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü(-ə)l How to pronounce cruel (audio)
crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest
1
: disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings
a cruel tyrant
has a cruel heart
2
a
: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain
a cruel joke
a cruel twist of fate
b
: unrelieved by leniency
cruel punishment
cruelly adverb
cruelness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for cruel

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions.

fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Examples of cruel in a Sentence

a cruel twist of fate Hunger is a cruel fact of nature.
Recent Examples on the Web Many audience members will judge his treatment of his son as cruel. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2024 Businesses of all sizes have caught the cruel summer fever, with enterprises ranging from big brands to small bead shops and photo studios cashing in on the pop star’s visit. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The reality is, to go on the run with the child is cruel and not fair. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The bloodline can be an unreliable thing, and cruel sometimes. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 In a cruel twist of irony, just as things were picking up for the singer-songwriter, she’s passed away–even as her breakout single is still performing well on the Billboard charts. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Folks in Kansas City are used to sudden changes in the weather, but forecasts for an extreme change in conditions from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning seemed nearly impossible and maybe even cruel. Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 The state, not a physician, is responsible to find a method of punishment that is not cruel. Joel B. Zivot, STAT, 26 Feb. 2024 All the students have accepted the game’s cruel rankings as reality. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crudelis, from crudus — see crude entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cruel

Cite this Entry

“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cruel

adjective
cru·​el ˈkrü-əl How to pronounce cruel (audio)
crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest
1
: ready to hurt others : without humane feelings
a cruel ruler
2
a
: causing or helping to cause suffering
a cruel joke
b
: showing no mercy
cruel punishment
cruelly adverb
cruelness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cruel

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