Find Synonyms

cruelty Synonyms

Another word for cruelty

Choosing another word for cruelty depends on context, so the 16 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

Callous indifference to or pleasure in causing pain and suffering to others.

Usage Example

"The organization works tirelessly to prevent brutality toward domestic and wild animals."

Strongest
brutality
inhumanity
savagery
barbarity
Strong
heartlessness
ruthlessness
callousness
sadism
malice
ferocity

• noun (Context 2)

Behavior or an action that deliberately causes physical or mental harm to another.

Usage Example

"The historical novel depicts the everyday cruelties endured by the townspeople during the famine."

Strong
atrocity
abuse
mistreatment
maltreatment
outrage
injustice

Opposites of cruelty

The opposite of cruelty shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

compassion
kindness
mercy
benevolence
humanity
gentleness
sympathy
tenderness
See all opposites of cruelty

• Nearby Words

cruel
cruelly
cruelness
cruelty
cruet
cruise
cruiser

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Cruelty. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/cruelty
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