# cruelty

/ˈkɹuəɫti/ (US) · /kɹˈuːəlti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cruelty
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the quality of being cruel

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being very unkind or enjoying the pain of others.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a cruel act

noun · CEFR B2

a specific action that causes pain or suffering to someone or something.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The law protects animals from any form of cruelty.
- The documentary exposed the cruelty of the conditions in the overcrowded prison system.
- Historians often debate whether the harsh sentencing was a product of systemic cruelty or a desperate attempt to maintain order during the revolution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.