cruel

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cruel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that causes suffering or pain. For example: "The cruel words he said still haunt her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, it is a matter-of-fact scene of cruel Renaissance life.

The Guardian - Arts

Thankfully, it never happened to me, but I know people who have been victims of this and who still bear a grudge against the cruel or tactless grown-up in question.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Labour's MP for Newcastle East and former Cabinet Minister, Nick Brown, declared that the idea was simply "cruel and stupid", in January the party was actively calling for the Government's overall benefit cap to differentiate between regions based on the fact that someone in the north would need less than someone in London.

The Guardian

He clearly has great fun satirising the casually cruel, pettily incestuous world of poetry in which self-absorption is the keynote.

The Guardian - Books

But was it cruel to deck animals out in jewellery?

The Guardian

Compassion for animals in laboratories is not "sentimentality"; it goes hand-in-hand with compassion for humans, both of which would be served by leaving cruel and demonstrably unnecessary monkey experiments behind in favour of truly humane and human-relevant science.

The Guardian

Labour is committed to abolishing the "cruel" bedroom tax.

The Guardian

By a cruel coincidence the Dail resumed business just 24 hours after the so-called "troika" from the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund rode into town.

The Guardian

Their squawking, cruel faces and white-streaked bombing runs had me devising a deadly version of the seaside amusement arcade's shooting gallery.

The Guardian - Travel

Allan Hogarth, Amnesty's UK head of policy and government affairs, said: "Amnesty has serious concerns about Saudi Arabia's justice system, given its use of the death penalty, the prevalence of torture in detention, and its use of cruel and degrading punishment.

The Guardian

In the end you already know how the story ends be kind, not cruel, and please – sit tight on the spoilers as a gesture of respect to fellow blogans and bloganistas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions or policies, use "cruel" to highlight their negative impact on individuals or groups. Be specific about the nature of the cruelty to enhance the emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cruel" as a generic term for anything you dislike. Instead, choose more precise words that accurately reflect the specific flaw or problem.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cruel" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something or someone as causing pain or suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, as demonstrated by the many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cruel" functions as an adjective that describes something or someone as causing pain or suffering. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used. The word carries a strong negative connotation and is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in more formal and business contexts. While interchangeable with words like "brutal" or "heartless", it's essential to use "cruel" precisely to reflect the intended level of severity. Overusing it as a general term of disapproval should be avoided in favor of more specific language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brutal

Indicates a more physical and violent form of cruelty.

callous

Implies a lack of empathy or emotional sensitivity.

heartless

Emphasizes the absence of compassion or feeling.

merciless

Suggests a lack of pity or forgiveness.

ruthless

Highlights a determination to succeed without regard for others.

severe

Indicates harshness in treatment or judgment.

inhumane

Focuses on the lack of consideration for human suffering.

vicious

Implies a malicious and intentionally harmful nature.

sadistic

Suggests deriving pleasure from inflicting pain.

unkind

A more general term for lacking kindness or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "cruel" in a sentence?

You can use "cruel" to describe actions, people, or situations that cause suffering. For example, "The dictator's regime was known for its cruel punishments." or "It was a cruel twist of fate that they lost the game in the final seconds."

What are some synonyms for "cruel"?

Some synonyms for "cruel" include "brutal", "callous", "heartless", and "merciless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "cruel" in writing?

Use "cruel" when you want to emphasize the harsh and painful nature of something. It's suitable for describing deliberate acts of harm or situations that cause intense suffering.

What's the difference between "cruel" and "mean"?

"Mean" is a more general term for unkind behavior, while "cruel" implies a deliberate and intense infliction of suffering. "Cruel" is a stronger and more impactful word.