cruel manner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cruel manner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a way of behaving or acting that is harsh, unkind, or causing suffering to others. Example: "The villain in the story treated his enemies in a cruel manner, showing no remorse for his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He behaved in a sadistic and cruel manner, exploiting children at their most vulnerable".

Independent

"It's not because women are shown in a cruel manner that it's misogynistic," Mr. Ozon said.

The New York Times

If you know of anyone engaging in this cruel manner towards protected birds please contact the RSPCA".

Independent

Critics have long accused TV talent contests of dealing with unsuccessful contestants in an unnecessarily cruel manner.

Independent

Eventually, he treats both in a cruel manner and with a dismissive wit we now know to be characteristic.

The Guardian - Film

Critics say that the killings, carried out by slitting the animals' throats with swords, are barbaric and conducted in a cruel manner.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The men all shot their victims but the judge said Kojic had carried out the slaughter in a crueller manner than the others and then boasted about the number of people he had killed.

Huffington Post

The doctor, it said, had "allegedly treated other inmates in a cruel and unprofessional manner".

The New York Times

Federal law requires prosecutors seeking the death penalty to prove that a crime was committed in "an especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner".

The New York Times

If the jurors find that there is no such absolute bar to a death sentence, they would decide if there are aggravating circumstances specified by the prosecutors, including that the crimes were committed in a "heinous, cruel or depraved" manner.

The New York Times

Activists acknowledge the problem of illegal immigration, which isn't unique to Israel, but claim that this doesn't excuse treating the asylum seekers who are already living in the country in a cruel and inhumane manner.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cruel manner" to emphasize the way someone is behaving, particularly when highlighting the harshness or unkindness of their actions. For example, "He dismissed her concerns in a cruel manner, showing no empathy."

Common error

Avoid overusing "cruel manner" for situations that are merely unpleasant or difficult. Cruelty implies a deliberate infliction of suffering, so ensure the context genuinely warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cruel manner" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to describe how an action is performed. It indicates the presence of intentional harshness, unkindness, or infliction of suffering in the way something is done. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cruel manner" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes actions performed with intentional harshness or unkindness. Ludwig confirms that the phrase "cruel manner" is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context truly warrants the strong connotations of cruelty. Alternatives like "brutal manner" or "inhuman manner" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brutal manner

Replaces "cruel" with "brutal", emphasizing physical violence or a lack of compassion.

inhuman manner

Replaces "cruel" with "inhuman", highlighting a lack of human empathy or morality.

ruthless manner

Replaces "cruel" with "ruthless", suggesting a determination to achieve a goal without concern for others' suffering.

callous manner

Replaces "cruel" with "callous", emphasizing insensitivity and indifference to the feelings of others.

savage manner

Replaces "cruel" with "savage", conveying a sense of wildness and uncontrolled violence.

vicious manner

Replaces "cruel" with "vicious", indicating a deliberate intent to harm or cause pain.

harsh manner

Replaces "cruel" with "harsh", softening the intensity while still conveying severity or unpleasantness.

heartless manner

Replaces "cruel" with "heartless", emphasizing a lack of empathy or compassion.

merciless manner

Replaces "cruel" with "merciless", highlighting a lack of pity or forgiveness.

unfeeling manner

Replaces "cruel" with "unfeeling", suggesting a lack of sensitivity or emotional response.

FAQs

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

You can use "cruel manner" to describe someone's behavior or actions that are harsh and unkind. For instance, "The dictator treated his people in a cruel manner."

What are some alternatives to using "cruel manner"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "brutal manner", "inhuman manner", or "ruthless manner".

Is it redundant to say "cruel and unusual manner"?

While not inherently redundant, "cruel" and "unusual" often appear together in legal contexts (e.g., "cruel and unusual punishment"). Using "cruel manner" on its own is perfectly acceptable and avoids potential legal connotations.

What distinguishes "cruel manner" from "rude manner"?

"Cruel manner" implies the deliberate infliction of suffering, whether emotional or physical. A "rude manner", on the other hand, primarily indicates a lack of politeness or respect, without necessarily intending to cause significant harm.