Cruel: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：extremely unkind (cruel)

cruel 🔊

/ˈkruːəl/

adj.

It means being very mean and causing pain on purpose, without caring about others' feelings.

Cruel meaning illustrated by a child pulling a kitten's tail, showing deliberate harm.

extremely unkind 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli ʌnˈkaɪnd/

adj.

Describes a person or action that deliberately causes suffering, pain, or distress to others, showing no concern for their feelings.

📁 Category：Social Roles, Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'crudelis' meaning rough or bloody.

💡 Mnemonic

Cruel ruler. Think of a CRUEL ruler being cruel to people.

📖 Example

It was cruel of the boy to ignore the stray cat's meows for food. 🔊 The boy's action of ignoring the hungry stray cat's pleas for food was extremely unkind.

🔗 Collocations

cruel joke – A joke that is mean-spirited and hurts someone's feelings

cruel act – An action that causes deliberate suffering

cruel treatment – The act of treating someone in a harsh and unkind way

🔄 Synonyms

brutal (adj.) – Savage, violent, and remorseless in causing pain.

vicious (adj.) – Deliberately cruel or violent.

sadistic (adj.) – Deriving pleasure from inflicting cruelty or pain on others.

🚫 Antonyms

kind (adj.) – Having a gentle, caring, and friendly nature.

compassionate (adj.) – Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

🌱 Derivatives

cruelty (n.) – Behavior that causes pain or suffering to others.

cruelly (adv.) – In a manner that causes pain or suffering.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'crudelis', related to 'crudus' (raw, bloody), highlighting a connection to causing raw, bloody pain. It historically described severe punishments or warfare, evolving to mean deliberate infliction of suffering.