anti-cruelty
adjective
an·ti-cru·el·ty
ˌan-tē-ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē 
ˌan-tī-
ˌan-tī-
: opposing, prohibiting, or punishing cruelty and especially the cruel treatment of animals
anti-cruelty legislation against dog fighting
Examples of anti-cruelty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These and other developments make this a moment of reckoning for lawmakers and wildlife officials who have repeatedly resisted outlawing vehicular killing of wildlife, or who have shied away from strengthening anti-cruelty laws.
—
Wendy Keefover, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
He was ultimately convicted under the state's anti-cruelty law.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Peter Li, an associate professor of East Asian politics at the University of Houston-Downtown and a China policy specialist for Humane Society International, says China is the only major industrialized country that does not have comprehensive anti-cruelty laws.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
Libre’s Law, an anti-cruelty law in Pennsylvania that went into effect in 2017, has strengthened the protection of animals by hitting those responsible for abuse with felony charges.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
The movement arose to combat anti-cruelty measures and laws that supporters contend go too far by criminalizing hunting and fishing under certain circumstances.
—Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024
The political will for new vegan technologies and anti-cruelty policies does not come miraculously from the ether but requires building a critical mass of people committed to a world without animal exploitation.
—Jishnu Guha-Majumdar, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024
In a news release, Scott Edwards, an attorney for two animal-welfare groups, said the man violated Wyoming’s anti-cruelty law and should face charges as a result.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 12 Apr. 2024
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Wendy Keefover, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
He was ultimately convicted under the state's anti-cruelty law.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Peter Li, an associate professor of East Asian politics at the University of Houston-Downtown and a China policy specialist for Humane Society International, says China is the only major industrialized country that does not have comprehensive anti-cruelty laws.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
Libre’s Law, an anti-cruelty law in Pennsylvania that went into effect in 2017, has strengthened the protection of animals by hitting those responsible for abuse with felony charges.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
The movement arose to combat anti-cruelty measures and laws that supporters contend go too far by criminalizing hunting and fishing under certain circumstances.
—Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024
The political will for new vegan technologies and anti-cruelty policies does not come miraculously from the ether but requires building a critical mass of people committed to a world without animal exploitation.
—Jishnu Guha-Majumdar, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024
In a news release, Scott Edwards, an attorney for two animal-welfare groups, said the man violated Wyoming’s anti-cruelty law and should face charges as a result.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 12 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Anti-cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-cruelty. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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