cruelcru‧el /ˈkruːəl/ ●●● S3 adjective 
His death was a cruel blow. Sometimes life seems unbearably cruel.► see thesaurus at unkind2deliberately hurting people or animals OPP kind: The prisoner was a hard cruel man. cruel jokes about mothers-in-law It was a cruel tactless thing to say.cruel to She was often cruel to her sister.3be cruel to be kind to do something to someone that will make them upset or unhappy in order to help them in another way—cruelly adverb: He was cruelly neglected by his parents.THESAURUScruel deliberately hurting people or making them suffer: · It was cruel to lock the dog in the garage all day.· Her father had been very cruel to her when she was a child.· a cruel, selfish womanheartless not feeling any pity and not caring about other people or their problems: · How could you be so heartless!· He was cold and heartless and had no concern for the welfare of his employees.sadistic getting pleasure from making other people suffer: · a sadistic killer· a sadistic thing to dobarbaric extremely cruel, in a way that shocks people: · a barbaric punishment· a barbaric sportvicious very violent and cruel, especially by suddenly attacking someone and causing injury to them: · a vicious attack on an innocent man· Some dogs can be vicious.brutal very cruel and violent, in a way that shows no human feelings: · a brutal dictator· the brutal methods used by the secret policeinhumane inhumane conditions, treatment etc are not considered acceptable because they cause too much suffering: · the inhumane treatment of prisonerscold-blooded a cold-blooded murder, attack etc is done without showing any feeling or pity for the person who is attacked. A cold-blooded killer kills people without showing any pity: · a woman's cold-blooded murder of her devoted husband· a cold-blooded psychopath
WORD ORIGINcruel
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Latin crudelis, from crudus; ➔ CRUDE1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a long cruel winter
- Brand was a cruel and intimidating man who abused his children and his wife.
- Children can sometimes be very cruel.
- He didn't seem the sort of man to be cruel on purpose.
- Her parents were very cruel to her when she was young.
- I think it's cruel to keep dogs locked up inside all day.
- It was cruel of you to frighten the poor boy like that.
- Killing animals just for their skins seems cruel.
- Lyle was always playing cruel jokes on his little sister.
- People say showbusiness can be very cruel.
- She married a man who was very cruel to her.
- The electric chair is possibly the cruelest method of execution.
- A vindictive, cruel policy of repression also maimed the economy.
- An unknowable, harsh and cruel society had destroyed his father for no apparent reason.
- I knew I was cruel in letting the walks go on as if nothing had changed.
- In the second place, he invented fishnets, a cruel device whereby innocent fish leap weeping to your frying pans.
- It had been a very cruel murder.
- The heavy mouth, the yellow skin, the cruel eyes - these told the real story.
- The mortals seemed miserable and the children cruel and now there was nothing left of the spectacle.
THESAURUS
deliberately hurting people or making them suffer: · It was cruel to lock the dog in the garage all day.· Her father had been very cruel to her when she was a child.· a cruel, selfish woman
not feeling any pity and not caring about other people or their problems: · How could you be so heartless!· He was cold and heartless and had no concern for the welfare of his employees.
getting pleasure from making other people suffer: · a sadistic killer· a sadistic thing to do
extremely cruel, in a way that shocks people: · a barbaric punishment· a barbaric sport
very violent and cruel, especially by suddenly attacking someone and causing injury to them: · a vicious attack on an innocent man· Some dogs can be vicious.
very cruel and violent, in a way that shows no human feelings: · a brutal dictator· the brutal methods used by the secret police
inhumane conditions, treatment etc are not considered acceptable because they cause too much suffering: · the inhumane treatment of prisoners
a cold-blooded murder, attack etc is done without showing any feeling or pity for the person who is attacked. A cold-blooded killer kills people without showing any pity: · a woman's cold-blooded murder of her devoted husband· a cold-blooded psychopath
Longman Language Activatorwords for describing people who are cruel someone who is cruel deliberately causes pain or makes people suffer: · Children can sometimes be very cruel.· Brand was a cruel and intimidating man who abused his children and his wife.cruel to: · Her parents were very cruel to her when she was young.
so determined to get what you want that you do not care how much you harm other people: · These men are ruthless terrorists and will kill anyone who tries to stop them.· Father could be quite ruthless about getting his own way.· the ruthless dictator, Joseph Stalin
not feeling any pity and not caring about other people or their problems: · How can you be so heartless?· In his autobiography, he portrays his father as cold and heartless.· She was a heartless, money-grabbing woman who made her fortune from the misery and desperation of others.
using your power to cruelly force other people to do what you want: · Lewis was a tyrannical boss who frightened and humiliated his employees.· Thousands of refugees fled the tyrannical regime in search of political freedom.
someone who is sadistic gets pleasure from making other people suffer: · The principal was a sadistic man who enjoyed tormenting his students.· In the film, Khan portrays a murderer who gets a deep sadistic thrill out of killing.· "I'm afraid you will never see your children again,'' he said with a sadistic smile.
someone who enjoys being cruel to other people: · Andrea's father was an absolute sadist. It's not surprising she hates him.
someone who uses their authority or strength to frighten or hurt someone who is weaker: · A group of kids stood by and watched the school bully beat up a smaller boy.· Critics describe the mayor as an arrogant bully who hates to be contradicted.
someone in a position of power who treats other people very cruelly: · She was a tyrant who had absolutely no tolerance for mistakes.
cruel behaviour/punishments/treatment intended to upset someone or make them suffer: · Lyle was always playing cruel jokes on his little sister.· The electric chair is possibly the cruellest method of execution.it is cruel to do something: · I think it's cruel to keep dogs locked up inside all day.
extremely cruel, in a way that shocks people: · We consider the death penalty to be barbaric.· the barbaric treatment of civilians in the concentration camps
very cruel and not showing any of the pity or concern that normal people feel when they see other people suffering: · The prison conditions in this country are inhuman.· The government has been accused of using artificial and inhuman criteria to decide which refugees should be deported.
: inhumane treatment/conditions/methods etc actions or conditions that are not considered acceptable because they cause too much suffering: · Amnesty International is protesting against the inhumane treatment of these political prisoners.· This method of slaughtering chickens is now regarded by many as inhumane.
: cold-blooded murder/killing/attack a murder etc done without showing any feeling or pity for the person who is attacked: · The entire nation has been shocked by the cold-blooded murder of the two girls.
if you kill someone in cold blood , you kill them in a cruel and deliberate way without showing any emotion: · The killers hunted Pedro down like an animal and murdered him in cold blood.
deliberately cruel in order to upset someone deliberately cruel and unkind to someone because you really want to upset them and enjoy doing so: · Miss Simms took a malicious pleasure in other people's misfortunes.· Mr Jameson dismissed the allegations as malicious rumours.· Nixon's family called Stone's depiction of the late President 'erroneous and malicious'.
deliberately nasty to someone in order to hurt or upset them, especially because you are jealous of them or are angry with them: · On the rare occasions when he was angry, Lowry could be spiteful and petty.spiteful to: · You shouldn't be so spiteful to your sister.· I tried to like Julie but I couldn't forget how spiteful she'd been to me in the past.
a feeling of wanting to hurt or upset other people by saying or doing cruel things, especially if you feel jealous or think you have been unfairly treated: · Gerald's feelings of injustice turned to bitterness and spite.pure/sheer spite (=spite and nothing else): · Ignore what Martin says. It's pure spite.out of spite (=because of spite): · She quit college and worked as a waitress out of spite towards her parents.
deliberately cruel and unfair because you want to harm someone who has harmed you: · "I'll pay her back for this.'' "Don't be so vindictive. It doesn't help anyone.''· Doug could be nasty and vindictive when he was drinking.
cruel behaviour cruel treatment or behaviour: · What kind of person could treat a fellow human being with such cruelty?· Her black eye and bruises were undeniable evidence of his cruelty.cruelty to: · Burnett has campaigned against cruelty to animals for more than 20 years.
deliberately cruel treatment of someone, especially someone in your family that you are supposed to care for: · Doctors believed that there was no evidence of abuse, despite the woman's claims.child abuse (=cruel treatment of children): · There has been an increase in the number of cases of child abuse.sexual abuse (=when someone forces another person to take part in sexual activities): · a victim of sexual abuse
cruel treatment of someone who is smaller, younger, or weaker - use this especially about children being cruel to other children: · The government has become involved in the effort to solve the problem of bullying in schools.
cruel treatment of people or animals, especially those you have some control over: · There can be no good reason for the ill-treatment of factory-farm animals.· Jailers singled out certain prisoners for maltreatment.· There can be no excuse for the mistreatment of people seeking asylum in this country.
cruel treatment of people because of their religious or political beliefs, or because of the race they belong to: · Many Jews fled to America to escape persecution in Europe.· Katya asked the United States to protect her from persecution in her home country.persecution of: · the relentless persecution of American Communists in the 1950s
extremely cruel and shocking actions against people, especially during a war: · Survivors from the concentration camps had witnessed unspeakable atrocities.commit atrocities: · Retreating soldiers told stories of awful atrocities committed by the enemy.
taking pleasure in cruel acts: · Sadism may stem from a desire to dominate.· Mzukwa grew quiet as he recalled the brutality and sadism of the prison guards.
cruelty that includes violence and a complete lack of sympathy for people's suffering: · Reformists were appalled by the immorality and inhumanity of the slave trade.· The novel focuses on the inhumanity of prisons and labour camps.
to treat a person or animal in a cruel way · My father drank too much and was often very cruel to my mother.· It is unspeakably cruel to the prisoners to house them in such conditions.
to deliberately treat a person or animal in a cruel way, especially when you are responsible for looking after them: · It looks as though this dog has been mistreated by its owner.· Neighbours were sure that the young couple had been ill-treating their children.
to be cruel to someone who is weaker, younger, or has less authority than you: · A group of girls would bully the younger kids, and force them to give them money.· The court heard that the head of department would routinely bully and humiliate workers.
to treat someone in your family or someone you are responsible for in a cruel way, especially violently or sexually: · My father abused us for years.· Erica runs a hostel for women who have been abused by their husbands.sexually abuse (=force someone to take part in sexual activities): · Erik testified he was sexually abused by his father since the age of 6.
to be cruel to a person or group of people over a period of time, because of their race or their religious or political beliefs: · Countries all over Europe have persecuted gypsies for centuries.· Human rights advocates say racial minorities continue to be persecuted.
informal to treat someone as if they were completely worthless and not care about their feelings: · She treats him like dirt but he still loves her.· I wanted us to be friends again, but I wasn't prepared to be treated like dirt to achieve it.
informal to choose someone from a group to treat cruelly and unfairly especially by repeatedly criticizing them: · Bullies usually pick on younger children.· Why don't you pick on someone your own size?· Older members of staff often pick on an apprentice and make his life a misery.
also victimise British if a person or group is victimized , they are treated unfairly, for example because of their beliefs, their race, or because they are weak: · He wasn't happy at the school and said he was victimized because of his colour.· The company says she was not dismissed because of her political activities but she claims she was victimized.
not cruel treating people or animals in way that is not cruel and causes them as little pain or suffering as possible: · Imprisonment is not a humane form of punishment.· French revolutionaries considered death by guillotine to be a more humane method of execution.
treating someone unkindly someone who is unkind treats people in a way that makes them unhappy or upset: · Children can be very unkind.unkind to: · I felt very sorry for being unkind to her.it is unkind (of somebody) to do something: · It would be unkind to keep him in suspense for too long.
someone who is mean deliberately speaks to someone unkindly or does things to annoy them or make them angry: · She hated him for being so mean. Why was he stopping her from seeing her friends?· I never thought he was capable of doing such a mean thing to his brother.mean to: · He was mean to those who worked for him and generous to those who he hardly knew.it is mean (of somebody) to do something: · It was mean of you to disturb her when she was having a rest.
someone who is nasty is deliberately unkind, and seems to enjoy making people unhappy: · When I was a child I did some nasty things to my little brother.· I don't mean to be nasty, but I don't think we should work together any more.nasty to: · Paul, you mustn't be nasty to the children. You'll make them cry.
someone who is cruel is very unkind, and does not seem to care about other people's feelings: · He didn't seem the sort of man to be cruel on purpose.cruel to: · She married a man who was very cruel to her.it is cruel (of somebody) to do something: · It was cruel of you to frighten the poor boy like that.
deliberately unkind to someone because you are jealous of them or angry with them: · Failure had made him bitter and spiteful.· That was a wicked and spiteful thing to do.
to be unkind to someone by criticizing them or treating them more severely than is fair: · He's only just started work here -- you mustn't be too hard on him.· I thought you were a little hard on Denise, not letting her go to the party.
informal to be unkind to someone by criticizing them in a way that is not fair: · She left the company because her boss was giving her a really hard time.· Stop giving me such a hard time. I'm doing my best.
to be unkind to someone because you are angry or upset about something else, even though it is not their fault: · I know you've had a bad day at the office, but don't take it out on me.· I'm sorry I was rotten to you, but there was no one else to take it out on.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY His death was a cruel blow.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The tragic irony is that the drug was supposed to save lives. The robbery took a deadly new twist as the robber pulled out a gun. an unexpected twist in the plotCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
His death was a cruel blow. (=extremely hard to bear)· Her loss came as a devastating blow to her father.
(=unfriendly or unkind)· He smiled, but his blue eyes were cold and cruel.
· She suffered a cruel fate at the hands of her captors.
The tragic irony is that the drug was supposed to save lives. (=very unkind)· When I heard he had cancer, at first I thought it was some kind of sick joke.
The robbery took a deadly new twist as the robber pulled out a gun. an unexpected twist in the plot· Her flailing hand slipped down to the pack, wrenching its cords open, just as cruel fingers seized her arm.· This process has included verbal denigration as well as cruel and unusual treatment of those who are traditionally perceived as outsiders.· Rebekah's scheming is as cruel and as ruthless as Sarah's treatment of Hagar and Ishmael.· Not very nice, but hardly as cruel as what would follow.· They think they look all sweet, and underneath they're as cruel as cruel.· The effort to deny these needs is as cruel as the pre-feminist effort to deny women their minds.· Bonds can be as cruel as torture if applied with enough viciousness.· Let me show you that all men aren't as cruel and immature as your retarded merchant banker.
· How I have missed you and how cruel your mistress is.· Loads of people didn't half tell the council how cruel it was.· But after I left her, I realized how cruel I had been.· He reminisced how loyal he had been to his firm and how cruel he felt was his reward.· Poor child! How cruel he had been to her!
· What is certain is that the discipline imposed on them was more complex, more capricious and more cruel.
· Without failure, Earth might never discover your power and strength to defuse the most cruel of destructive experiences in human lives.· Now, most cruel of all, it was Federer, and Wimbledon will surely never be the same again.
· He was being so unfair, so cruel!· No, how can I be so cruel?· How could his kidnappers be so cruel and not explain their reasons why?· It destroys him, I am so cruel.· Coincidence couldn't be so cruel, so twisted, could it?· It seems so cruel that I did not know by instinct when the blow fell on two hearts so close to mine!· He was so cruel at times, so utterly ruthless.· If Oliver can only come part of the way with us it will not seem so cruel.
· It's too cruel if you are gone.· No weapon would be too cruel, no tactic too extreme, on either side.· He had been too cruel to her.· There is one way to sharpen their appetites, but it's too cruel to mention.· But there are some truths too cruel, before the faces one has to announce them to, to be told.
· To dream can be very cruel.· I had heard that her husband had been very cruel to her.· It had been a very cruel murder.· That his bravery was ended so abruptly and unexpectedly seems very cruel.· Perhaps you know that I married a man who was very cruel to me.· And again, children can be very cruel.· If anyone asks how you treated me, I will tell them the truth, that you were very cruel to me.· Some of our friends and neighbours were very cruel to me.
NOUN· That was a cruel blow for Howard Wilkinson's team, who had made a committed, controlled and commanding start.· This had been a cruel blow, but it wouldn't stop her from ensuring that justice was done.· It would have been an unnecessary and cruel blow for her to see her old home in its state of decay.· The fact Pears could be ruled out of the crunch game at Molineux is a cruel blow after his superb season.· It is a cruel blow and one that again underlines the inconsistency of the red card law.· He wanted to give comfort, and protect her from the cruel blow life had dealt her.· Yet with their very first attack, the visitors struck a cruel blow.
· By a cruel irony, it was the sixth anniversary of their engagement.· There was, indeed, a kind of cruel irony in the collapse of the irrigation companies.· This is a particularly cruel irony because as the 1911 census revealed doctors had the smallest families of all categories of occupations.
· He hated Big Tom Fish, with his cruel jokes and flashing green eyes and rough workman's hands.· But the free-range, corn-fed chicken was the victim of a cruel joke.· The gods were enjoying their own cruel joke!
· By his hard eyes, and set mouth, by the way he spoke, that he was a cruel man?· Archelaus was a cruel man and Joseph has no wish to live under his rule.· Mr Sowerberry was not a cruel man, but he had no choice.· Many people have condemned Herod as a cruel man and certainly he showed a cruel streak, especially towards his own family.· Pepe has a lot in common with Boris, thought Ellis: they're both strong, cruel men without decency or compassion.· The same cruel man as before.· My prisoner was clearly a hard, cruel man.· This Shylock was a money-lender and a cruel man - everyone hated him.
· These accounts portray life behind bars as a cruel twist on the Hobbesian description of life: nasty, brutish and long.
· It can also be a hard, cruel world where your face and figure may not fit.· But her steely determination to make her way in a cruel world has done its own damage.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- George did not like being firm with Lennie but he knew that he had to be cruel to be kind.
- So now I've got to be cruel to be kind.
- You've got to be cruel to be kind, and dismantling the Dome would be the best solution for everybody.
- You have to be cruel to be kind.
WORD FAMILYnouncrueltyadjectivecrueladverbcruelly
1making someone suffer or feel unhappy: His death was a cruel blow. Sometimes life seems unbearably cruel.► see thesaurus at unkind2deliberately hurting people or animals OPP kind: The prisoner was a hard cruel man. cruel jokes about mothers-in-law It was a cruel tactless thing to say.cruel to She was often cruel to her sister.3be cruel to be kind to do something to someone that will make them upset or unhappy in order to help them in another way—cruelly adverb: He was cruelly neglected by his parents.THESAURUScruel deliberately hurting people or making them suffer: · It was cruel to lock the dog in the garage all day.· Her father had been very cruel to her when she was a child.· a cruel, selfish womanheartless not feeling any pity and not caring about other people or their problems: · How could you be so heartless!· He was cold and heartless and had no concern for the welfare of his employees.sadistic getting pleasure from making other people suffer: · a sadistic killer· a sadistic thing to dobarbaric extremely cruel, in a way that shocks people: · a barbaric punishment· a barbaric sportvicious very violent and cruel, especially by suddenly attacking someone and causing injury to them: · a vicious attack on an innocent man· Some dogs can be vicious.brutal very cruel and violent, in a way that shows no human feelings: · a brutal dictator· the brutal methods used by the secret policeinhumane inhumane conditions, treatment etc are not considered acceptable because they cause too much suffering: · the inhumane treatment of prisonerscold-blooded a cold-blooded murder, attack etc is done without showing any feeling or pity for the person who is attacked. A cold-blooded killer kills people without showing any pity: · a woman's cold-blooded murder of her devoted husband· a cold-blooded psychopath