1
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a cruel dictator who tortured anyone who dared to speak out against him cruel and unusual punishments are forbidden by the U.S. Constitution
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the cruel climate of the Arctic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
the cruel situation of being orphaned at an early age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in malicious
having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it
the bully was fond of making cruel little jabs at his victim's sore points
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cruel
However, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer called it a 'cruel political act'
A rainbow crosswalk honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre was removed overnight on Wednesday, following a new directive from President Donald Trump’s administration.
—
Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Ron Berti Orlando The cruel stupidity of Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot are giving our beloved Sunshine State a bad name.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Both are unfair, polarizing and will lead to future ugly, unpopular bills and cruel, unconstitutional acts.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
That's the idea that nuclear weapons are so cruel and morally repulsive that nobody has used them for 80 years.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruel
Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Ron Berti Orlando The cruel stupidity of Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot are giving our beloved Sunshine State a bad name.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Both are unfair, polarizing and will lead to future ugly, unpopular bills and cruel, unconstitutional acts.
—Mike McGrew, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2025
That's the idea that nuclear weapons are so cruel and morally repulsive that nobody has used them for 80 years.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruel
Adjective
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The exhibit explores the brutal history of the domestic slave trade in the American South and the labor performed by enslaved Africans, primarily in South Carolina.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Friends can lie, colleagues can backstab, anyone can die in any number of brutal ways.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But the harsh fact is that letting a tree stump fester in the ground can cause myriad problems, according to the arborist sources AD asked.—
Steven John,
Architectural Digest,
27 Aug. 2025
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Iran has threatened harsh consequences if the snapback sanctions are triggered.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There was also a subplot about Derek going through a painful divorce.—
Rob Reiner,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
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Heartburn, also known as indigestion, is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach contents entering the esophagus and causing the painful, burning sensation.7 To prevent heartburn, avoid triggers like alcohol, coffee, and spicy or fatty foods.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Here is another example from my work: a luxury brand facing daily phishing attacks receives real-time alerts with direct links to malicious sites, allowing their legal team to act immediately.—
Dima Raketa,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Some states are still without such laws, however, leaving resident vulnerable to malicious lawsuits.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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If Hill is still an elite player, and tight end Darren Waller can produce half the production Jonnu Smith gave the Dolphins last year, the passing game will have a vicious bite.—
Omar Kelly
August 25,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
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The unique stipulation is the direct result of King's recent, vicious actions against his rival, Myles Borne.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Trump, they aren’t charmed by the Kremlin’s tough guy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Season 2 reveals the main characters were locked up in a torturous adult rehabilitation center, but have now been allowed to re-enroll at Godolkin University.—
Zoe Kaplan,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Other detainees have also called the conditions torturous, saying the facility is full of mosquitoes and where fluorescent lights shine bright on them at all times.—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The nonprofit’s promotional ads were on social media including Facebook, where it was met with some explicitly hateful comments aimed at the LGBTQ community, Carolina Theatre spokesman Jared Misner said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
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Klum and Kaulitz, who tied the knot in 2019, have been on the receiving end of hateful remarks due to their 17-year age gap.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruel. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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