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

On Thursday, investigators arrested the 39-year-old man on eight felony counts of animal cruelty, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025

The local shelter said Sheila LaFleur, 63, and Robin Burr, 61, were arrested and each charged with a misdemeanor for animal cruelty. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Grayson was arrested on Thursday and is facing eight counts of felony animal cruelty, the sheriff's office says. —Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Also in October, Gibson was arrested in Atlanta on a charge of cruelty to animals after his four Cane Corsos allegedly killed a neighbor’s King Charles Cavalier. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 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.