cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē 
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
Currently there are no comprehensive animal cruelty laws in China, which experts say has created a culture of impunity among cat torturers.
—
Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
That's why the spectacular cruelty with which the cuts were carried out tanked Musk's personal brand and triggered Trump's inexorable decline in approval.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Florida increases penalties for animal cruelty, creates public online database of abusers
Florida has two new laws aimed at combatting animal cruelty.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Its worldbuilding is ill-considered, and its tale of corruption and cruelty is obscured by chaotic stylistic gestures.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
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Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
That's why the spectacular cruelty with which the cuts were carried out tanked Musk's personal brand and triggered Trump's inexorable decline in approval.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Sun Sentinel Florida increases penalties for animal cruelty, creates public online database of abusers
Florida has two new laws aimed at combatting animal cruelty.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Its worldbuilding is ill-considered, and its tale of corruption and cruelty is obscured by chaotic stylistic gestures.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cruelty
noun
cru·el·ty
ˈkrü-əl-tē
plural cruelties
1
: the quality or state of being cruel
2
: cruel treatment
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