cruelty

noun

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cru·el·ty | \ ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē

plural cruelties

Definition of cruelty

1 : the quality or state of being cruel

2a : 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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing cruelty Learn More About cruelty

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 Yet while French appetites for the delicacy have been largely undimmed by concerns over animal cruelty, another threat to avian welfare is now curbing consumption. — Xu Xiaofei, CNN, 7 May 2022 Workers at a Naugatuck dog training business described grisly scenes of animal cruelty and death, along with casual handling of high explosives, according to an arrest warrant obtained Wednesday. — Jesse Leavenworth, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2022 He was also convicted of first-degree robbery, first-degree and third-degree burglary, burglary of a vehicle, animal cruelty for shooting a dog, and attempting to elude. — Donna Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2022 At first, they were arrested on a variety of charges, from animal cruelty to drug possession, but by December 2021, Barnes had been charged with concealing a death, and Wamsley had received the same charge on Jan. 7, 2021, the sheriff's office said. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2022 Dozens of narcotics distribution and animal cruelty cases have gone untried, city officials say, and accused murderers have been allowed to walk free. — Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2022 County Animal Control may look toward the sheriff’s office concerning animal cruelty charges. — Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2022 The crime is being investigated by the animal cruelty unit of the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constables Office. — Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 16 Apr. 2022 This was also the second animal cruelty case in the county in the last month, the office said. — Globe Correspondent, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cruelty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.