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
Woodland police detectives on Tuesday arrested Christian Jacobo, 22, on suspicion of murder and willful cruelty toward a child causing death, police officials said in a Friday news release.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But what’s even creepier is Remmick’s invitation to the holdouts to join them, promising an escape from dehumanizing cruelty into a fellowship that offers an eternal life of freedom and enlightenment.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
The 39-year-old mother and 27-year-old father face multiple charges, including first-degree assault, cruelty to animals and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Blount County Sheriff's Office's jail records.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Sullivan last week pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful restraint.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
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Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But what’s even creepier is Remmick’s invitation to the holdouts to join them, promising an escape from dehumanizing cruelty into a fellowship that offers an eternal life of freedom and enlightenment.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
The 39-year-old mother and 27-year-old father face multiple charges, including first-degree assault, cruelty to animals and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Blount County Sheriff's Office's jail records.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Sullivan last week pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, first-degree reckless endangerment and first-degree unlawful restraint.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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