cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü(-ə)l 

crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest

1

: disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings

a cruel tyrant

has a cruel heart

2

a

: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain

a cruel joke

a cruel twist of fate

b

: unrelieved by leniency

cruel punishment

cruelly

ˈkrü-(ə-)lē 

adverb

cruelness noun

Synonyms of cruel

• brutal
• vicious
• savage
• ruthless

Choose the Right Synonym for cruel

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions.

fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Examples of cruel in a Sentence

a cruel twist of fate

Hunger is a cruel fact of nature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

The episode explores the story of Madame LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), her cruel actions, and what voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) did to her. — Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 2026

Bronwyn’s mother, Muzzy, who was lambasted all of last season for being cold and arguably cruel to her daughter, is notably softer in her first scene back — though the bob is as cunty as ever. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

They were found guilty of the war crimes of the arbitrary detention of 385 people, cruel treatment of 49, torture of 303 detainees and the murder of 96 people. — Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crudelis, from crudus — see crude entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cruel

• cruel and unusual punishment
• cruel blow

Rhymes for cruel

• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• dual
• duel
• fuel

Kids Definition

cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü-əl 

crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest

1

: ready to hurt others : without humane feelings

a cruel ruler

2

a

: causing or helping to cause suffering

a cruel joke

b

: showing no mercy

cruel punishment

cruelly

ˈkrü-ə-lē 

adverb

cruelness noun