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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2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the cruel climate of the Arctic
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cruel
However, in the face of the Japanese army’s cruel atrocities, A Chang risks his life to safely transfer the refugees and expose the evidence of the massacre to the public.
—
Sara Merican, Deadline, 28 July 2025
Nigel’s pivoted to a cushy television judge post, having spent half a decade cultivating a reputation as the cruelest judge on America’s Next Top Designer.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025
A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision from the Ninth Circuit that determined a ban on people sleeping in public was constitutionally cruel and unusual.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
In an inordinately cowardly and cruel act, Rubio stayed away from the department that day, ignoring the men and women whose careers and life plans were decimated by his flippant decision-making.
—Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruel
Sara Merican, Deadline, 28 July 2025
Nigel’s pivoted to a cushy television judge post, having spent half a decade cultivating a reputation as the cruelest judge on America’s Next Top Designer.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 July 2025
A little more than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a decision from the Ninth Circuit that determined a ban on people sleeping in public was constitutionally cruel and unusual.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
In an inordinately cowardly and cruel act, Rubio stayed away from the department that day, ignoring the men and women whose careers and life plans were decimated by his flippant decision-making.
—Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruel
Adjective
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Launch control is a wild ride, equal parts fun and brutal, as all that boost sends the V-6 screaming.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
16 Aug. 2025
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The course is a brutal, out-and-back journey of 100 miles through Colorado’s rugged high country, demanding over 15,000 feet of climbing.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the comparison of slave babies being taken from their mommas, and immigrant children being separated from their parents might seem a bit harsh to some, the pain is the same.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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The former Calle 13 member impresses her sensitivity to this piece, originally written by Orlando Brito and popularized in 1975 by the great Héctor Lavoe, giving it new life with her powerful, dramatic voice, accompanied by street guitars and harsh, aggressive chords that captivate the listener.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Accessing the code prompts recipients to provide personal and financial information, or can lead to downloading malicious software.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Victims are then defrauded again, with more money lost to these malicious recovery schemes.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Feeling profoundly betrayed and abandoned by David, Rebecca’s loyalty lies with the vicious and conniving Juno, the only family she’s known for the last decade.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
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Nothing could possibly go wrong with all the vicious alien specimens on board, right?—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
12 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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Extending his power over the city for longer would require approval from Congress, and that could be tough in the face of Democratic resistance.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How to make your hair look longer Trying to grow your hair fast can feel torturous, with no one walking the same path to longer lengths.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
23 July 2025
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The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Earlier in the year, one fan in Indianapolis was accused of making hateful comments toward Chicago Sky players.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 July 2025
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Again, no one is challenging the Constitutional right of individuals or private organizations to marginalize themselves by making hateful, toxic comments.—
Jeff Rhodes,
Oc Register,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruel. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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