cruelty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cruelty' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe actions or behavior that is intentionally harmful or oppressive towards others or animals. Example: The new law was designed to prevent animal cruelty and punish those who engage in any form of mistreatment towards animals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Middap said the magazine was responsible for the shoot but there was no cruelty involved.

The Guardian

There's a term for this brand of gratuitous online cruelty: we call it internet trolling.

The Guardian

That word does not even get close to the downright venality, wickedness and cruelty on display.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To my knowledge, there was no actual cruelty on the job.

The Guardian

But still, amid last week's great tide of tributes, friends of Charles Kennedy may be allowed one last question: where does journalism stop, and cruelty begin?

The Guardian

It smacked of a cross between a 70s National Front repatriation drive and an Ealing comedy shot through with cruelty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fight goes on, the cruelty has to stop.

The Guardian

Heart-breaking cruelty, no slow-motion blood: the sight of real violence tends not to inspire or seduce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her pieces varied in mood from lacerating and shocking to playful, comical and celebratory, but for most of her career she grappled with that brutally simple, tortuously difficult question: in the face of so much cruelty and suffering in the world, what are an artist's ethical and political responsibilities?

The Guardian - Arts

In Italy, Spero, who has died aged 83 of respiratory complications, discovered the vigour and immediacy of ancient Etruscan art; in Paris, where she and Golub settled in 1959, she discovered the troubled art and writings of the manic-depressive artist and inventor of the so-called theatre of cruelty, Antonin Artaud.

The Guardian - Arts

As he said: "With Miller, we are constantly surprised by the possibilities in each of us, for cruelty or compassion or absurdity".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cruelty" judiciously; ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong term to avoid hyperbole. Precise language enhances impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cruelty" simply to evoke emotion. Ensure your usage is supported by factual evidence of malicious intent or egregious disregard for well-being.

Linguistic Context

The noun "cruelty" functions as a descriptor of actions or conditions marked by the intentional infliction of suffering or a callous disregard for the well-being of others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cruelty" is a frequently used noun that describes actions characterized by the intentional infliction of suffering or a blatant disregard for the well-being of others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. As a descriptor, "cruelty" carries strong negative connotations and is often employed to condemn or critique morally reprehensible behaviors. While suitable for both formal and informal use, it should be applied judiciously to maintain the impact of the writing. As shown by the examples, the contexts where "cruelty" is more frequently used are News & Media, Formal & Business and Science. Related terms include "inhumanity" and "brutality".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhumanity

Emphasizes the lack of compassion or human qualities in an action.

brutality

Highlights the physical violence and savagery involved.

savagery

Suggests a wild and uncivilized form of violence.

atrocity

Refers to an extremely wicked or cruel act, often on a large scale.

callousness

Indicates a lack of empathy or concern for others' suffering.

heartlessness

Focuses on the absence of feeling or compassion.

mercilessness

Stresses the lack of pity or forgiveness.

ruthlessness

Emphasizes the determination to achieve a goal without regard for the consequences.

oppression

Highlights the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.

maltreatment

Refers to the act of treating someone or something badly or unfairly.

FAQs

How can I use "cruelty" in a sentence?

You can use "cruelty" to describe actions or behaviors that cause suffering or harm. For example: "The law aims to prevent animal "animal cruelty"."

What words are similar to "cruelty"?

Similar words include "inhumanity", "brutality", and "savagery". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "cruelty" and "violence"?

"Cruelty" implies intentional infliction of suffering, while "violence" refers to the use of physical force that may or may not be intended to cause suffering.

Is "cruelty" a formal or informal word?

"Cruelty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is a strong term that should be used when the situation warrants it.