cruel deeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cruel deeds" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to acts which are unkind and cause physical or emotional harm. Example sentence: "The villain was known for his cruel deeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Ghosting" offers a high-low cocktail of lovely prose and cruel deeds.

The New York Times - Books

And Thomas's claims of leading a moral life are undermined somewhat by the cheerful accounts of some chillingly cruel deeds she's committed, from leaving a baby opossum to drown in her swimming pool — "I did not give it a thought" — to the time she cut off all ties to a friend whose father was dying of cancer because the woman wasn't fun to be around anymore.

The New York Times - Books

It also creates the need to develop other than purely criminal or judicial forms of accountability for child soldiers in order for them to assume responsibility for their cruel deeds, and hence become members of society and the community again.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was a deeply cruel start to an unbelievably cruel deed.

The Guardian

American diplomats were critical, lest it provoked Hitler to even crueller deeds.

Independent

Unlike the Nibelungenlied, which stands on the threshold of romance, the austere Eddic poems dwell on cruel and violent deeds with a grim stoicism that is unrelieved by any civilizing influences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Act polite, but cruel.

WikiHow

But the mind seems particularly prone to backdating when it comes to cruel, greedy or cowardly acts — the physical evidence people weigh against stand-up deeds to judge whether they are as good as their parents told them they were.

The New York Times - Health

(The illusion is that a magazine can introduce its readers to some cruel or loathsome prank without in any way associating itself with the deed. (The illusio of perfect editorial isolation.

The New Yorker

Good deeds?

The New Yorker

Deeds matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cruel deeds", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and harmful nature of the actions being described. This phrase is effective in conveying strong disapproval and moral judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "cruel deeds" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for genuinely harmful and malicious actions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cruel deeds" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cruel" modifies the noun "deeds". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing actions characterized by causing pain and suffering. Ludwig's examples highlight this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cruel deeds" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe actions that inflict significant harm or suffering. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various formal and neutral contexts, primarily found in news, encyclopedias and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies its strong negative connotation to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "inhumane acts" or "brutal actions" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhumane acts

Replaces "cruel" with "inhumane", emphasizing the lack of compassion in the actions.

brutal actions

Substitutes "cruel" with "brutal", highlighting the violent and savage nature of the deeds.

atrocious acts

Replaces "cruel" with "atrocious", underscoring the shocking and appalling quality of the actions.

ruthless actions

Substitutes "cruel" with "ruthless", emphasizing the lack of pity or compassion.

merciless acts

Replaces "cruel" with "merciless", highlighting the absence of mercy or forgiveness.

callous actions

Substitutes "cruel" with "callous", focusing on the insensitivity and indifference displayed.

heinous actions

Replaces "cruel" with "heinous", emphasizing the wickedness and offensiveness of the actions.

barbaric acts

Substitutes "cruel" with "barbaric", highlighting the uncivilized and savage nature of the deeds.

vicious acts

Replaces "cruel" with "vicious", emphasizing the malicious and aggressive nature of the deeds.

inhuman behavior

Broadens the scope to include behavior rather than just deeds, emphasizing the lack of human qualities.

FAQs

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

You can use "cruel deeds" to describe actions that are intentionally harmful and cause significant suffering. For example, "The dictator was notorious for his "cruel deeds" against the innocent civilians".

What are some alternatives to "cruel deeds"?

Some alternatives include "inhumane acts", "brutal actions", or "atrocious acts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cruel deeds" a formal or informal expression?

"Cruel deeds" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or speech when discussing serious topics involving morality and justice.

What distinguishes "cruel deeds" from "bad actions"?

"Cruel deeds" implies a higher level of malevolence and harm compared to the more general term "bad actions". "Cruel deeds" suggests intentional infliction of suffering, whereas "bad actions" might simply refer to morally wrong or undesirable behavior.