CRUEL Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cruel' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cruel are barbarous , ferocious , fierce , and savage . While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it. // the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Q: When is 'barbarous' a more appropriate choice than 'cruel'?

The synonyms barbarous and cruel are sometimes interchangeable, but barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people. // barbarous treatment of prisoners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ferocious' instead of 'cruel'?

While the synonyms ferocious and cruel are close in meaning, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality. // a ferocious dog

Q: When could 'fierce' be used to replace 'cruel'?

The meanings of fierce and cruel largely overlap; however, fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. // fierce warriors

Q: In what contexts can 'savage' take the place of 'cruel'?

Although the words savage and cruel have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion. // a savage criminal

cruel

adjective

ˈkrü(-ə)l

Definition of cruel next

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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as in harsh

difficult to endure the cruel climate of the Arctic

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as in painful

hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the cruel situation of being orphaned at an early age

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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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word cruel different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cruel are barbarous, ferocious, fierce, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

When is barbarous a more appropriate choice than cruel?

The synonyms barbarous and cruel are sometimes interchangeable, but barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

When is it sensible to use ferocious instead of cruel?

While the synonyms ferocious and cruel are close in meaning, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

When could fierce be used to replace cruel?

The meanings of fierce and cruel largely overlap; however, fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

In what contexts can savage take the place of cruel?

Although the words savage and cruel have much in common, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cruel That’s the cruel irony at the heart of this show. —

Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Amnesty International has said that the use of the death penalty under the new measure could violate the right to life and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as enshrined in international law. —

Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 March may be the cruelest month in Saint-Tropez. —

Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026 Last season, the organization gifted Nauser, who breathes with assistance from a ventilator, a custom Royals wheelchair on MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day, which honored the former Yankees first baseman who died of complications from ALS, an especially cruel disease. —

Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruel

Adjective

But the timing of this meltdown was brutal.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Orlando City heads west after a two-week break, trying to snap out of a brutal early-season slump, but the Lions face a steep climb against a Los Angeles FC squad that hasn’t conceded a goal this year.

— Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of brutal

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“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruel. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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