cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
a
: a cruel action
b
: inhuman treatment
3
: marital conduct held (as in a divorce action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental suffering or fear

Examples of cruelty in a Sentence

a dictator known for his cruelty The cruelty of children can be surprising. They protested against cruelty to animals.
Recent Examples on the Web Poking fun at a dictator could easily backfire, downplaying cruelty in pursuit of comedy. Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024 Throughout the unspeakable cruelty — and a few acts of kindness — young Sarr projects inextinguishable hope, holding on to the belief that on the other side of the water, on the shores of Italy, something worth all the sorrow may await him. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Little cruelties mount up — Wolf unthinkingly discards Agnes’ precious little trove of papery butterfly and dragonfly wings. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024 In addition to murder, McCoy was charged with cruelty to children. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2024 Julius James, 46, of Southeast, D.C., was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2024 Authorities have said the case is among the county’s worst animal cruelty investigations in recent memory. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 Chandler also had a significant animal abuse case in 2023 at the home of April McLaughlin, who was charged with five counts of animal abuse, 55 counts of animal cruelty and one count of vulnerable adult abuse. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Fanon also sought to adapt his psychiatry practice to address the cruelties of colonialism. Adam Shatz, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruelty.' 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 cruelte, from Anglo-French cruelté, from Latin crudelitat-, crudelitas, from crudelis

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruelty was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near cruelty

Cite this Entry

“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü-əl-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment

Legal Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty
plural cruelties
1
a
: an intentional or criminally negligent act that causes pain and suffering
cruelty to animals
cruelty to children
b
: mistreatment or neglect that causes pain and suffering compare abuse

Note: Cruelty is an aggravating circumstance to a crime (as murder).

2
: a spouse's conduct that endangers life or health or causes mental suffering or fear

called also cruel and inhuman treatment

Note: Cruelty is a ground for divorce.

More from Merriam-Webster on cruelty

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