CRUELTY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

cruelty

noun

ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē

Definition of cruelty

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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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 On Wednesday, June 24, authorities announced the arrest of Joshua Clinton on several charges, including murder and cruelty to children, in connection with Jalil's death. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 Since then, the Sheriff’s Office has opened a sprawling investigation into allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud, and conspiracy associated with the animal sanctuary. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 According to the Sheriff’s Office, a judge released Cruz on his own recognizance June 4 following his arraignment on felony animal cruelty charges in Sacramento Superior Court. — Velvet Wu july 1, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Pets Requires pet dealers to disclose veterinarian records and directs the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to set up a public website listing people convicted of animal cruelty by the end of the year (SB 1004). — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruelty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruelty

Noun

Lee learned much about the systemic oppression that Black Americans faced from his first student, Jesse Glover, who had been a victim of police brutality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
These early precedents in fictional brutality also weaken Thomson’s next point, about literature’s superiority.

— Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

The respected 13th-century Spanish rabbi Nachmanides (Ramban) chastises Lot for the atrocity of offering his daughters in place of the angels.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
While younger generations were taught in school about the atrocities of the Holocaust, the book found that family lore continued to sanitize the past with grandparents often painted as heroes, rescuers or victims themselves.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

Definition of atrocity

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cruelness

cruelty

cruelty-free

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“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruelty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cruelty

noun

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