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 of cruelty

• brutality
• atrocity

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

Gail Giustino, 77, was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, including animal cruelty and confining an animal without sufficient food or water, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek shared in a press conference on Monday, July 20. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

The warrant, attached to the defense filing, accused Obumseli of cruelty to a nonlivestock animal, a Class A misdemeanor, in Travis County, Texas. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Odysseus is a determined warrior wanting to get home to his family as well as a leader whose poor decisions and needless cruelty are a detriment, especially to his fellow soldiers. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 July 2026

In both works, the disturbing cruelty of the classical age is matched by an audiovisual sublimity that reflects the poetry of the tragedies—by Sophocles and Euripides, respectively—on which the films are based. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing cruelty

• anti-cruelty
• cruelty-free

Kids Definition

cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü-əl-tē 

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.