WordGarden.iocruelly
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈuːəlˌi/
US
- /ˈkruli/
Meanings
Adverb
in an intentionally unkind or harmful way
in a harsh, painful, or unfairly severe way
Beyond the definition
To act cruelly means to intentionally cause pain or suffering—physical or emotional—to another person or animal. It's more than being careless; it implies a deliberate wish to hurt. A bully might cruelly tease a classmate, and a villain in a story often acts cruelly toward the hero. Sometimes the harm is subtle, like a cruelly dismissive comment that slowly wears down someone's confidence. While accidents happen, cruel actions are chosen. Think of the wicked stepmother in fairy tales—her behavior is often described as cruel.
The word "cruelly" describes an action done with deliberate intent to cause pain, suffering, or distress. It goes beyond simple unkindness; it suggests a willingness to hurt someone, or a cold lack of care about their pain. Cruelty isn't just about physical harm—it can show up in words, actions, or even inaction.
You might describe a harsh winter as cruelly unforgiving, highlighting its relentless and damaging effects on the landscape. A character in a novel could be portrayed as acting cruelly toward animals, revealing their callous nature. Or perhaps someone speaks cruelly to a friend after an argument, intending to wound them with sharp words.
The root of "cruel" comes from the Old French word cruel, meaning "severe" or "harsh." This hints at the intensity and deliberate nature of cruel actions. It's important to distinguish cruelty from accidental harm; a clumsy mistake isn't cruel, but intentionally tripping someone would be.
Cruelly often appears in contexts involving power imbalances—where one person has the ability to hurt another. Think about stories of oppression or injustice, where those in authority act cruelly toward the vulnerable. It's a word that evokes strong emotions and highlights the darker side of human behavior. So when something is done cruelly, it's not just harmful—it's intentionally so, driven by malice or disregard for another's well-being.
Examples
- 1
Prisoner treatment
The prisoners were treated cruelly by the guards.
- 2
Family argument
She spoke cruelly to her younger brother after the argument.
- 3
School bullying
He was cruelly mocked at school for his accent.
- 4
Painful honesty
Kids can be cruelly honest about how people look.
- Phrasecruelly honest
honest in a way that hurts someone
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Painful irony
In a cruelly ironic twist, the firefighter lost his own home in the wildfire.
- Phrasecruelly ironic
ironic in a painful or unfair way
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- cruellyadverb