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Definition of cruel

cruel

/ˈkruːəl/
cru · el
Adverb:cruelly
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cruel Lexical Profile

cruel Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.

Example

"The historical novel depicts a cruel ruler who ignored the pleas of his starving subjects."

2

Causing severe pain, grief, or distress (of an event, circumstance, or condition).

Example

"The sudden frost was a cruel blow to the local orchard farmers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cruel
Antonyms
View all antonyms for cruel

Word Nuance & Usage

'Cruel' is a homophone of 'crewel' (a type of yarn used in embroidery). In comparative and superlative forms, both 'crueler'/'cruelest' and 'crueller'/'cruellest' (chiefly British) are standard.

• Rhymes for cruel

• Nearby Words

crudeness
crudites
crudity
cruel
cruelly
cruelness
cruelty

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Old French from Latin 'crudelis' (hard-hearted, unmerciful), which is related to 'crudus' (raw, rough, or bloody).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cruel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cruel
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