cruelty

noun

cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
a
: a cruel action
b
: inhuman treatment
3
: marital conduct held (as in a divorce action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental suffering or fear

Examples of cruelty in a Sentence

a dictator known for his cruelty The cruelty of children can be surprising. They protested against cruelty to animals.
Recent Examples on the Web Authorities have said the case is among the county’s worst animal cruelty investigations in recent memory. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 Chandler also had a significant animal abuse case in 2023 at the home of April McLaughlin, who was charged with five counts of animal abuse, 55 counts of animal cruelty and one count of vulnerable adult abuse. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Fanon also sought to adapt his psychiatry practice to address the cruelties of colonialism. Adam Shatz, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 If caught, the people who killed the horses will face felony charges related to theft and animal cruelty, Zabaleta said. David Goodhue and, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Capote's cruelty was scrutinized following the publication of his article, especially because Woodward committed suicide three days before it was released. Cady Lang, TIME, 2 Feb. 2024 The opening minutes are filled with scenes of soldiers, spies, harrowing cruelty. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 Social media is awash with stupidity, cruelty and wrongheaded political opinions passed off as deep thoughts and intellectual acuity. Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 As with every systemic transformation that hurts countless people, the cruelties necessary to bring it about had to be bathed in the light of a liberating, redemptive ideology. Yanis Varoufakis, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruelty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cruelte, from Anglo-French cruelté, from Latin crudelitat-, crudelitas, from crudelis

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruelty was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near cruelty

Cite this Entry

“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty ˈkrü-əl-tē How to pronounce cruelty (audio)
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment

Legal Definition

cruelty

noun
cru·​el·​ty
plural cruelties
1
a
: an intentional or criminally negligent act that causes pain and suffering
cruelty to animals
cruelty to children
b
: mistreatment or neglect that causes pain and suffering compare abuse

Note: Cruelty is an aggravating circumstance to a crime (as murder).

2
: a spouse's conduct that endangers life or health or causes mental suffering or fear

called also cruel and inhuman treatment

Note: Cruelty is a ground for divorce.

More from Merriam-Webster on cruelty

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