cruelty-free

adjective

cru·​el·​ty-free ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē-ˈfrē How to pronounce cruelty-free (audio)
: developed or produced without inhumane testing on animals
cruelty-free cosmetics

Examples of cruelty-free in a Sentence

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.
Priding itself on being vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, Rhode quickly became the name on everyone’s lips (literally). Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025 This vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand was designed to bring you your everyday beauty essentials, ensuring a wide range of skin tones are accounted for and catered to. Essence, 29 Aug. 2025 It's got that signature briny taste of the sea while being completely made from plants (and therefore cruelty-free). Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2025 The store’s body care section has products free from parabens, sulfates, and often cruelty-free and vegan. Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cruelty-free

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruelty-free was in 1983

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Cite this Entry

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

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