cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü(-ə)l 

crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest

1

: disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings

a cruel tyrant

has a cruel heart

2

a

: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain

a cruel joke

a cruel twist of fate

b

: unrelieved by leniency

cruel punishment

cruelly

ˈkrü-(ə-)lē 

adverb

cruelness noun

Synonyms

• atrocious
• barbaric
• barbarous
• brutal
• brute
• butcherly
• fiendish
• heartless
• inhuman
• inhumane
• sadistic
• savage
• truculent
• vicious
• wanton

Choose the Right Synonym for cruel

fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions.

fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Examples of cruel in a Sentence

a cruel twist of fate

Hunger is a cruel fact of nature.

Recent Examples on the Web

His life ended at age 47 in an insane asylum and on an especially cruel note. —Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024

Mozer’s film puts this unimaginable moment of his life and many other harrowing, cruel and hard-to-stomach moments of terrible loss and incredible bravery, on the record. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2024

Rather than be dissuaded, however, Wright felt this was the perfect reason to explore a time in history when large swathes of humanity became enraptured in cruel ideology espoused by charismatic but deeply flawed men. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 22 Sep. 2024

These complaints include allegations of excessive use of tasers, unlawful entry into homes unlawfully, hurling racial slurs, and deploying dangerous, cruel tactics to assault people in their custody, according to U.S. Assistant Attorney General General Kristen Clarke. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crudelis, from crudus — see crude entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cruel

• cruel and unusual punishment
• cruel blow

Kids Definition

cruel

adjective

cru·​el ˈkrü-əl 

crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest

1

: ready to hurt others : without humane feelings

a cruel ruler

2

a

: causing or helping to cause suffering

a cruel joke

b

: showing no mercy

cruel punishment

cruelly

ˈkrü-ə-lē 

adverb

cruelness noun