More cruel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "More cruel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of cruelty between two or more subjects or actions. Example: "The villain in the story was more cruel than any antagonist I had ever encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They become more cruel.

The New York Times

But Barnes's sequel is much more cruel.

The Guardian - Books

Could he have been more cruel?

The New Yorker

What happens in Europe is much rougher and more cruel".

The Guardian - Sport

For Orlando, it made the outcome that much more cruel.

The New York Times - Sports

As we became more cruel, we became more stupid.

The New York Times

A more cruel defeat you are unlikely to witness.

The Guardian - Sport

Tennis does not get more cruel than that.

The New Yorker

The Iranian regime is even more cruel than these despotic countries.

The New York Times

One character describes her labor evocatively, saying, "There is no miracle more cruel than this".

The New York Times

He was ghettoed — in a sense more cruel than that in which Hitler ghettoed the Jews.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "More cruel", ensure that there is a clear comparison to something else. The phrase indicates a higher degree of cruelty than some other action, situation, or person. Avoid using it in isolation without a point of reference.

Common error

Avoid using "More cruel" as a standalone descriptor without establishing a clear point of comparison. Without context, the statement lacks clarity and impact. Instead, specify what is being compared to what, for example, "His actions were more cruel than his words".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "More cruel" is to serve as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that something possesses a higher degree of cruelty compared to something else. This is supported by numerous examples, like "The Iranian regime is even more cruel than these despotic countries."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "More cruel" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that expresses a greater degree of cruelty. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and wide use in various contexts. As a comparative phrase, it requires a clear point of reference for effective communication. While versatile across different registers, it is predominantly found in news and media sources. Synonyms like ""more brutal"" or ""more ruthless"" can offer alternative nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More brutal

Emphasizes physical violence or harshness.

More ruthless

Highlights a lack of compassion or consideration.

More heartless

Focuses on the absence of empathy or feeling.

More merciless

Stresses the lack of forgiveness or leniency.

More inhumane

Highlights the violation of basic human rights or dignity.

More savage

Implies a lack of civilization or refinement.

More vicious

Emphasizes maliciousness or spitefulness.

More callous

Highlights indifference to the suffering of others.

More severe

Indicates a greater degree of strictness or harshness in treatment or punishment.

More atrocious

Highlights an act of extreme wickedness or cruelty.

FAQs

How can I use "More cruel" in a sentence?

Use "More cruel" to compare the degree of cruelty between two subjects. For example, "The punishment was "more cruel" than the crime warranted".

What are some synonyms for "More cruel"?

Alternatives to "More cruel" include "more brutal", "more ruthless", or "more heartless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "More cruel"?

Yes, "More cruel" is grammatically correct when used in a comparative context. It is used to express a greater degree of cruelty than something else.

What's the difference between "More cruel" and "Crueler"?

"More cruel" and "crueler" both express a comparative degree of cruelty, but "crueler" is a single word and generally preferred for shorter adjectives. "More cruel" is typically used when the adjective is longer or when stylistic preference dictates it.