anti-cruelty

adjective

an·​ti-cru·​el·​ty ˌan-tē-ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē  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

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, these snakes are protected only by anti-cruelty laws and may be humanely killed. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

Nile monitors are not native to Florida and are not protected in the state except by anti-cruelty law, per the FWC. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026

The Nile monitor is not native to Florida and is not protected in the state except by anti-cruelty law, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

The key legal requirement is that any removal must be done humanely, in compliance with anti-cruelty law. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above