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
Most importantly, Kaiser went on national radio and warned that democracy itself could not survive if America returned to the greed, monopoly and economic cruelty that had scarred the industrial age.
—
Tom Debley, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
O'Neill was charged with 19 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, two dog housing violations and one misdemeanor for violating bail conditions from his previous charges, according to DPH.
—Marcella Baietto, CBS News, 15 June 2026
He was found not guilty of the animal cruelty charge.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Ridglan and a special prosecutor reached a plea agreement requiring the lab to give up its commercial dog-breeding and seller’s license by July 1 to avoid criminal animal-cruelty charges.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
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Tom Debley, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
O'Neill was charged with 19 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, two dog housing violations and one misdemeanor for violating bail conditions from his previous charges, according to DPH.
—Marcella Baietto, CBS News, 15 June 2026
He was found not guilty of the animal cruelty charge.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Ridglan and a special prosecutor reached a plea agreement requiring the lab to give up its commercial dog-breeding and seller’s license by July 1 to avoid criminal animal-cruelty charges.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 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 18 Jun. 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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