extremely cruel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely cruel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are exceptionally harsh or unkind. Example: "The punishment he received for such a minor mistake was extremely cruel and unjust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"The fact is it's just extremely cruel".

The New York Times

It is an extremely cruel bird".

The Guardian - Arts

"They used extremely cruel means," he said.

The New York Times

In some ways, life has been extremely cruel.

The New York Times - Sports

It is an extremely cruel bird... " But Aragon had other concerns.

Independent

My vow must have seemed to you extremely cruel, or insane.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

I've been working in conflict areas for the past decade, so they weren't the only ones receiving death threats whom I've met, or have been killed, but the way it happened was extremely brutal and cruel.

The Guardian

The poem is gleefully about nothing but itself, an extremely funny, cruel, ultimately profound comment on poetic falsification, and what poems can and should and cannot do.

The New York Times - Books

A slender, unsmiling man with watchful, almond-shaped eyes, Yeaten was supervising security for the President during a condolence call on the Nigerian Ambassador following the death of General Sani Abacha, the extremely corrupt and cruel ruler of Nigeria.

The New Yorker

This semiliterate but incredibly ambitious man looks extremely corrupted and cruel even by Russian standards.

Huffington Post

Within hours after the release of that photo on HLN, extremely sadistic and cruel bullies send a copy to Jackson's children with the message "From Daddy with love".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or actions, use "extremely cruel" to convey a sense of outrage or injustice. This intensifies the negative impact of the subject you're describing. For instance, 'The dictator's policies were "extremely cruel", leading to widespread suffering.'

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers (e.g., 'very, extremely, really') before "cruel". Using too many can weaken the impact of your writing. Opt for a single, strong adjective or adverb to convey the severity of the cruelty. A better approach could be: 'The punishment was inhuman'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely cruel" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the intensity of the cruelty being described. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, where it's deemed usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely cruel" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase to express intense disapproval and emphasize the severity of cruelty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. While it frequently appears in news and media contexts, it also finds use in encyclopedias and scientific writing. When employing the phrase, aim for impactful delivery, but avoid overusing intensifiers. Consider stronger, more concise alternatives for more powerful writing. Common semantic alternatives include "exceptionally brutal", "utterly merciless", and "incredibly callous", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally brutal

Focuses on the physical aspect of cruelty, emphasizing violence and harshness.

exceedingly brutal

Another way to emphasize the physical harshness and violence involved.

utterly merciless

Highlights the complete absence of compassion or pity.

incredibly callous

Emphasizes a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards others' suffering.

remarkably inhumane

Stresses the lack of human qualities, such as compassion and kindness.

atrociously heartless

Highlights the severe lack of feeling or sympathy.

shockingly sadistic

Suggests pleasure derived from inflicting pain or suffering on others.

unusually vicious

Focuses on the aggressive and violent nature of the cruelty.

intensely ruthless

Highlights the determination and lack of concern for others in pursuing a goal.

appallingly severe

Emphasizes the harshness and strictness of the cruelty.

FAQs

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

You can use "extremely cruel" to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are exceptionally harsh or unkind. For example: "The dictator's policies were "extremely cruel", leading to widespread suffering."

What are some alternatives to "extremely cruel"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally brutal", "utterly merciless", or "incredibly callous" depending on the context.

Is "extremely cruel" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "extremely cruel" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe something that is exceptionally harsh.

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

It's appropriate to use "extremely cruel" when you want to emphasize the severity and lack of compassion in an action, event, or behavior. However, be mindful of overusing intensifiers and consider stronger, more concise alternatives for impactful writing.