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
One has simply grown so accustomed to his cruelty that, in an episode with so many other people acting on their worst impulses, Stephen stands out for momentarily acting on a good one.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that the decision amounts to cruelty to children under Georgia law, which allows for second-degree murder charges when a child's death results from such conduct.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
William Hesseltine and his followers had dismissed such sources as at best partial and at worst partisan in their exposition of the cruelties inflicted by their wartime enemies.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Their parents, David and Louise Turpin, were later convicted on multiple felony counts, including cruelty to an adult dependent, child cruelty, torture and false imprisonment, and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
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Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors argue that the decision amounts to cruelty to children under Georgia law, which allows for second-degree murder charges when a child's death results from such conduct.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
William Hesseltine and his followers had dismissed such sources as at best partial and at worst partisan in their exposition of the cruelties inflicted by their wartime enemies.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Their parents, David and Louise Turpin, were later convicted on multiple felony counts, including cruelty to an adult dependent, child cruelty, torture and false imprisonment, and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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