cruel ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cruel ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe thoughts or concepts that are harsh, unkind, or harmful in nature. Example: "The novel explores the protagonist's struggle against the cruel ideas that society imposes on individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"IDS was a significant figure, and a fundamentally decent man, but he spent much of his time fighting off pubescent advisers and Treasury officials with cruel ideas for saving money".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For Boucheron, it's not simply that the great replacement is a cruel idea; it's also false.

The New Yorker

The filmmakers bait kids with a cruel idea, but they can't risk being too intense or too graphic (the books are more explicit).

The New Yorker

The dog-whistle bullshit that seeps out of the tabloids and gestates around Westminster: that cruel idea that poverty is somehow linked to immorality.

Vice

@fodderfIfure.

Vice

For years, she has been the most powerful voice of reason in a state that continues to hatch some of the dumbest, cruelest ideas anywhere for getting tough on immigrants.

The New York Times

"Part of that was a cruel arithmetic idea: the idea that in a small community you are going to have to force out men, that you're going to have to compel women into marriage, and that polygamy cannot arise by way of free and informed choice," he said.

Vice

But it's a cruel, foolish idea — cruel in the case of Social Security, foolish in the case of Medicare — and we shouldn't let it eat our brains.

The New York Times

In 2011, the Obama administration was reportedly willing to raise the age of Medicare eligibility, a terrible and cruel policy idea.

The New York Times

Before Mean Girls, everyone I knew was happy buying into and lusting after the impossible Cruel Intentions idea that you needed a crucifix full of cocaine to be cool.

Vice

Before Mean Girls, everyone I knew was quite happy buying into and lusting after the impossible Cruel Intentions idea that you needed a crucifix full of cocaine to be cool.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cruel ideas", ensure that the context clearly establishes the source and impact of the cruelty. Providing specific examples of the ideas and their consequences will enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cruel ideas" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere. Reserve it for situations where the ideas truly involve significant harm or suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cruel ideas" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cruel" modifies the noun "ideas". It serves to describe the nature or quality of the ideas, indicating that they are harsh, unkind, or deliberately harmful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cruel ideas" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that effectively conveys disapproval and condemnation of harmful or malicious concepts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Its neutral register allows for application across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, where it serves to highlight the negative implications of certain ideas. While alternatives like "inhumane concepts" or "callous notions" exist to offer nuanced expression, the core message of intentional harm remains central to the use of "cruel ideas".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhumane concepts

Replaces "cruel" with "inhumane", emphasizing a lack of compassion or morality.

callous notions

Substitutes "cruel" with "callous", highlighting indifference and insensitivity.

heartless schemes

Replaces both "cruel" and "ideas" to convey a lack of empathy in planned actions.

ruthless plans

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

malicious intentions

Focuses on the ill will or spite behind the idea, replacing "cruel" with "malicious".

vicious concepts

Replaces "cruel" with "vicious", emphasizing the aggressive or violent nature of the idea.

brutal thoughts

Substitutes "cruel" with "brutal", suggesting a harsh and unrelenting quality.

oppressive ideologies

Replaces "cruel" with "oppressive" and "ideas" with "ideologies", focusing on systems of thought that unjustly burden others.

tyrannical notions

Substitutes "cruel" with "tyrannical", focusing on an autocratic or despotic type of idea.

barbaric schemes

Replaces both "cruel" and "ideas" to focus on savagely crude or uncultured planned actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "cruel ideas" to describe concepts or plans that are intentionally harmful or cause significant suffering. For example, "The dictator implemented "cruel ideas" to suppress dissent and maintain power."

What are some alternatives to "cruel ideas"?

Alternatives to "cruel ideas" include "inhumane concepts", "callous notions", or "malicious intentions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "cruel ideas"?

Yes, "cruel ideas" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe harmful or malicious concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

What's the difference between "cruel ideas" and "bad ideas"?

"Cruel ideas" specifically implies an intention to cause harm or suffering, whereas "bad ideas" simply suggests that the concepts are ineffective, impractical, or unwise. The former carries a much stronger ethical and emotional charge.