cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

CRUEL definition: willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others. See examples of cruel used in a sentence.

CRUEL definition: 1. (of a person or action) extremely unkind and unpleasant and causing pain to people or animals…. Learn more.

1. causing or inflicting pain without pity: a cruel teacher. 2. causing pain or suffering: a cruel accident.

Definition of cruel adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 14, 2025 · cruel (comparative crueler or crueller or more cruel, superlative cruelest or cruellest or most cruel) The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most …

Cruel implies willingness to cause pain, and indifference to suffering: a cruel stepfather. Pitiless adds the idea of refusal to show compassion: pitiless to captives.

Someone who is cruel deliberately causes pain or distress to people or animals. Children can be so cruel. Don't you think it's cruel to cage a creature up?

Some common synonyms of cruel are barbarous, ferocious, fierce, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," cruel implies indifference to suffering and even …

CRUEL meaning: 1. (of a person or action) extremely unkind and unpleasant and causing pain to people or animals…. Learn more.