cruelly

adverb

cru·​el·​ly ˈkrü-(ə-)lē How to pronounce cruelly (audio)
Synonyms of cruellynext
1
: so as to pain : mercilessly : so as to cause pain or hurt
cruelly done to death
2
: extremely, severely
the rooms are cruelly overcrowded with furnitureF. A. Swinnerton

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from cruel entry 1 + -ly

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Cite this Entry

“Cruelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelly. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

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