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.
The brand believes that clean beauty should be readily accessible to all, delivering a range of gentle, vegan, and cruelty-free cosmetics that take the guesswork out of caring for your complexion. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025 The brand, which hasn't posted on Instagram since 2023, offers cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan skincare products designed to promote naturally radiant, clear skin. Kelsey Lentz, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 Are the Clean winners cruelty-free or vegan? Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cruelty-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty-free. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cruelty-free

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!