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
The post-liberals stand for cruelty and inanity, but Brooks can’t admit to standing for much of anything at all.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In an era of near continuous cruelty by the administration, the imprisonment of the boy and his father attracted massive media and political attention and eventually saw both released on February 1.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
So the cruelty of the tabloids and the cost on real people’s lives, on the one hand.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The North Carolina native’s caravan of cruelty quickly earned him a promotion from El Centro sector chief to Border Patrol commander at large, a new position crafted just for him.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
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Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In an era of near continuous cruelty by the administration, the imprisonment of the boy and his father attracted massive media and political attention and eventually saw both released on February 1.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
So the cruelty of the tabloids and the cost on real people’s lives, on the one hand.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The North Carolina native’s caravan of cruelty quickly earned him a promotion from El Centro sector chief to Border Patrol commander at large, a new position crafted just for him.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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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