cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü(-ə)l How to pronounce cruel (audio)
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 adverb
cruelness noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tamra was awful to Gretchen back then, culminating in the Naked Wasted Party, which was one of the cruelest things to ever happen on Housewives. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 Besson’s retelling of the horror classic is set in the 15th century, where Prince Vladimir denies God after the brutal and cruel loss of his wife. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 This is the perspective of someone who has turned away from a chaotic and increasingly cruel world. Michael Jerome Plunkett september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025 The cruel world could crush Candy. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cruel

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruel was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruel. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cruel

adjective
cru·​el ˈkrü-əl How to pronounce cruel (audio)
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 adverb
cruelness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cruel

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