as in brutality
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
centuries after he ravaged Europe, Attila the Hun remains notorious for his cruelty
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cruelty
This story of Fagin highlights the cruelty of discrimination, the plight of the poor and the importance of role models.
—
The Know, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Hernandez was charged with criminal attempt murder, abandonment of a child, cruelty to children in the first degree and reckless conduct, the CGPD said.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Armstrong was on probation for a case in Georgia involving charges of first-degree cruelty to children, false imprisonment, simple battery and obstructing or hindering of law enforcement, records show.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
During missions, the group gathers evidence that may be needed should local law enforcement pursue animal cruelty charges.
—Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
The Know, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Hernandez was charged with criminal attempt murder, abandonment of a child, cruelty to children in the first degree and reckless conduct, the CGPD said.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Armstrong was on probation for a case in Georgia involving charges of first-degree cruelty to children, false imprisonment, simple battery and obstructing or hindering of law enforcement, records show.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
During missions, the group gathers evidence that may be needed should local law enforcement pursue animal cruelty charges.
—Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruelty
Noun
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The brutality of the Ukrainian frontline The challenges facing foreign volunteer fighters on the battlefield extend well beyond their legal label.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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For a long time, the book was consider unadaptable due to its brutality.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What if the atrocities amount to genocide?—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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So much atrocity, so much terror is unbearable.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruelty. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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