Word
cruelty
Phoneticscru·el·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹuəɫti/
UK/kɹˈuːəlti/
Definitions
01the quality of being cruel
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being very unkind or enjoying the pain of others.
n. the abstract quality of indifference to suffering or the active pleasure in inflicting it. Uncountable in this sense.
“The film showed the cruelty of the soldiers during the war.”
“The philosopher argued that systemic cruelty often stems from a lack of empathy rather than a desire for destruction.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a cruel act
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific action that causes pain or suffering to someone or something.
n. a specific act or instance of cruel behaviour. Countable in this sense.
“Leaving a dog outside in the freezing cold is a terrible cruelty.”
“The historian documented the various cruelties inflicted upon the local population by the occupying forces.”
Usage
Often used in the plural to describe a series of bad actions.
Real-World Examples
“Jason Arday's family spoke of the "public cruelty" the academic faced before his death last week.” “They said: “The public cruelty Jason was subjected to was too much for any man to bear.” Etymology
From Middle English cruelte, from Old French crualté (French cruauté), from Latin crudelitas. By surface analysis, cruel + -ty.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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