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

The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

Shaw called the revelation an appalling and cruel irony. —Stephanie Elam, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

Hundreds of recent statutes, executive actions, and regulations seem to play a game of one-upmanship in which states try to find ways to be even more cruel. —Darren Rosenblum, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026

In a series that traffics in themes of female empowerment, Titus brutally killing Ursula feels needlessly cruel. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 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

• dual
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• jewel
• newel
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual

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