CRUELTY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

cruelty

noun

ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē

as in brutality

disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others centuries after he ravaged Europe, Attila the Hun remains notorious for his cruelty

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cruelty Federal authorities allege in an indictment that the images portrayed of dogs raised and offered for sale at the Giant German Shepherd Ranch in Hopkins County were a disguise for a place where, instead, cruelty and neglect were rampant. —

J.d. Miles, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 Kimberly Sullivan, 57, is facing two charges of first-degree kidnapping, along with charges of assault, intentional cruelty to persons and unlawful restraint, according to Court TV. —

Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026 More than 300 cats and dogs rescued from a property in the Lake Hughes area amid allegations of animal cruelty were up for adoption. —

City News Service, Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026 That’s the cruelty of the NCAA Tournament. —

Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruelty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruelty

Noun

During the May 2020 George Floyd demonstration, protesters in downtown Los Angeles briefly shut down portions of the 101 Freeway after entering near Alameda Street, temporarily halting traffic to draw attention to the killing of Floyd and broader concerns about police brutality.

— Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Mihankhah spent roughly 15 years trying to raise awareness about the brutalities of the Iranian government.

— Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026