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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
far from being healers, the doctors in the Nazi death camps were notable for their senseless cruelness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
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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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Counties and municipalities can impose harsher restrictions as well.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
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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Infestations are very painful and can be deadly if not treated promptly.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
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
Noun
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Jake Haro pleaded guilty to willful cruelty to a child following a 2018 arrest, KABC reported.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
22 Aug. 2025
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Three people face animal cruelty charges in connection with a home in Old Saybrook where authorities reportedly found more than 100 dead animals.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
21 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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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
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The logistics of pushing autonomous vessels out into the deep Pacific is tough.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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From the almost humorous to the truly torturous, being plunked into unknown wilderness in total isolation—which is what happens on Alone—results in all manner of strange mental phenomenon.—
Woniya Thibeault,
Outside,
26 Aug. 2025
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Executions by nitrogen suffocation have been described as especially torturous, said the Rev. Preston Clegg of the Second Baptist Church of Downtown Little Rock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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