cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē 
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
Synonyms
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
On a timeless Mediterranean island, 12-year-old Mila’s peaceful and simple existence in her family home is disrupted when her father is killed due to an act of cruelty over inheritance money involving her aunt Khulan (Angela Molina).
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
On Monday, shortly after 3 p.m., a Bryant Animal Control Officer responded to a report of a cat that had possibly been a victim of animal cruelty.
—Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 27 Mar. 2024
In some circles, wearing a fur coat (real or faux) is seen as a sort of transgression—a willful disregard of animal cruelty.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were contacted on March 12 for reports of animal cruelty.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024
The movie is a study of how avoidance is its own form of cruelty.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
Spencer blames the school’s headmaster, John Alexander Hector Porch, for its culture of cruelty.
—Cynthia McFadden, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
But both films trade on moments of casual cruelty, the ways that greed can twist love, and the masks humans often wear to manipulate those closest to them.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024
There were some ironies, not to say cruelties, to this mission.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
On Monday, shortly after 3 p.m., a Bryant Animal Control Officer responded to a report of a cat that had possibly been a victim of animal cruelty.
—Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 27 Mar. 2024
In some circles, wearing a fur coat (real or faux) is seen as a sort of transgression—a willful disregard of animal cruelty.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were contacted on March 12 for reports of animal cruelty.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2024
The movie is a study of how avoidance is its own form of cruelty.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
Spencer blames the school’s headmaster, John Alexander Hector Porch, for its culture of cruelty.
—Cynthia McFadden, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024
But both films trade on moments of casual cruelty, the ways that greed can twist love, and the masks humans often wear to manipulate those closest to them.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024
There were some ironies, not to say cruelties, to this mission.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near cruelty
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü-əl-tē
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment
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