cruelty — Behavior that causes pain or suffering to others, especially deliberately
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: Behavior that causes pain or suffering to others, especially deliberately
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkruːəlti/
Example Sentences
- My cat looked at me with such judgment that I felt guilty of cruelty just for being five minutes late with dinner.
- The organization was founded to fight against cruelty to animals in circuses.
- Making your little brother watch you eat the last piece of pizza slowly is a form of pure cruelty.
cruelty
NOUN[/ˈkruːəlti/]
Behavior that causes pain or suffering to others, especially deliberately
The knight's cruelty shocked the villagers as he burned their harvest without mercy.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Cruelty derives from Latin crudelis (cruel, savage), which stems from crudus (raw, uncooked, bleeding). Ancient speakers metaphorically connected the concept of incompletely cooked or rough matter to harsh, pitiless behavior—evoking an image of uncivilized, raw brutality devoid of human compassion.
Breakdown
crudus (raw, rough) → crudelis (cruel) + -ty (noun-forming suffix) → cruelty (the quality or practice of inflicting pain without mercy).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat looked at me with such judgment that I felt guilty of cruelty just for being five minutes late with dinner.”
“The organization was founded to fight against cruelty to animals in circuses.”
“Making your little brother watch you eat the last piece of pizza slowly is a form of pure cruelty.”
“The court ruled that the treatment of prisoners amounted to cruelty.”
📚Related Words
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