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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Recent Examples of cruelty
One of the hardest to watch, for its sheer mental cruelty, takes place at the hospital after Gil gives birth to their daughter Thais.
—
Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers could face a massive PR nightmare from LA vegans as star pitcher Edwin Diaz finds himself at the center of a federal animal cruelty scandal.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Laushaul pleaded guilty to a felony animal cruelty charge in September and was sentenced to 16 to 48 months in prison, according to a release from Wolfson's office.
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Smart chatter praises the trailer’s restraint, sound design and emotional cruelty more than gore, which is rare air for internet horror discourse.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers could face a massive PR nightmare from LA vegans as star pitcher Edwin Diaz finds himself at the center of a federal animal cruelty scandal.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Laushaul pleaded guilty to a felony animal cruelty charge in September and was sentenced to 16 to 48 months in prison, according to a release from Wolfson's office.
—James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Smart chatter praises the trailer’s restraint, sound design and emotional cruelty more than gore, which is rare air for internet horror discourse.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruelty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cruelty
Noun
-
But no matter the brutality, Allin was able to withstand it all.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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The brutality of Butcher (Karl Urban) comes under the spotlight again, the episode questioning if the ends really justify the means—killing Homelander might complete Butcher’s transformation into a monster.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Various armed groups have long vied for control of the area, and have been accused of engaging in a campaign of atrocities against the Nuba and other communities there.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Their willingness to film their inhumanity echoed the Nazis of the Third Reich, who likewise filmed their mass atrocities.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cruelty. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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