cruelty noun

cru·​el·​ty | \ ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē \

plural cruelties

Definition of cruelty

• the quality or state of being cruel
• a cruel action
  • inhuman treatment
• marital conduct held (as in a divorce action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental suffering or fear

Synonyms & Antonyms for cruelty

Synonyms

atrociousness, atrocity, barbarity, barbarousness, brutality, cruelness, fiendishness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, sadism, savageness, savagery, truculence, viciousness, wantonness

Antonyms

benignity, compassion, good-heartedness, humaneness, humanity, kindheartedness, kindness, sympathy, tenderheartedness

Source:

“Cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty.

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cru·​el | \ ˈkrü(-ə)l \
crueler or crueller; cruelest or cruellest

Definition of cruel
1: disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings
a cruel tyrant
has a cruel heart
2a: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain
a cruel joke
a cruel twist of fate
b: unrelieved by leniency
cruel punishment

Other Words from cruel
cruelly \ ˈkrü-​(ə-​)lē \ adverb
cruelness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for cruel

Synonyms

atrocious, barbaric, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton

Antonyms

benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted

Source:

“Cruel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruel.