cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē 

plural cruelties

1

: the quality or state of being cruel

2

a

: 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 of cruelty

• brutality
• atrocity

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

Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty? —Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026

Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, have lambasted Trump over his decision to capture Maduro, despite the dictator’s history of corruption, cruelty, drug trafficking and abuse of freedom of the press, and despite the fact that many local Venezuelans celebrated Maduro’s capture. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

He's now charged with murder and cruelty to animals. —Louisa Moller, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Satter’s work is always adventurous and scalpel-sharp, a natural fit for this story of obsession and loneliness, beauty and cruelty and killer wigs. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cruelte, from Anglo-French cruelté, from Latin crudelitat-, crudelitas, from crudelis

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cruelty

• anti-cruelty
• cruelty-free

Kids Definition

cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü-əl-tē 

plural cruelties

1

: the quality or state of being cruel

2

: cruel treatment

Legal Definition

cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty

plural cruelties

1

a

: an intentional or criminally negligent act that causes pain and suffering

cruelty to animals

cruelty to children

b

: mistreatment or neglect that causes pain and suffering compare abuse

Note: Cruelty is an aggravating circumstance to a crime (as murder).

2

: a spouse's conduct that endangers life or health or causes mental suffering or fear

called also cruel and inhuman treatment

Note: Cruelty is a ground for divorce.