really cruel

USAGE SUMMARY

"really cruel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is unusually unkind, harsh, or cold-hearted. For example: "The way he treated her was really cruel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It is really cruel.

The New Yorker

It's really cruel".

The Guardian - Sport

He was really, really cruel.

The Guardian - Music

"This was really cruel," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Those postings, mostly anonymous, "can be really cruel.

The New York Times

It feels really cruel how they have treated us".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

No, I find that cruel, truly cruel.

BMC Psychiatry

"So it's really especially cruel for her to have arthritis".

The New Yorker

Parading the worst auditions on the TV always seemed mean enough; parading them in front of a live audience feels really, unnecessarily cruel.

The Guardian

Since the United States is almost the last modern, first-world country to put captive human beings to death in the ghastly ritual of a legal execution, it is fair to argue that this killing really is cruel and unusual.

The New York Times

"I know good and well that this is just some kind of really morbid, cruel April Fool's joke".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really cruel" to emphasize the severity of an action or situation, highlighting its negative impact on individuals or groups. This is best used when you want to stress the emotional or physical harm caused.

Common error

While "really cruel" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Consider alternatives like "exceptionally harsh" or "unjustifiably severe".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really cruel" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "cruel". It serves to emphasize the extreme nature of the cruelty being described. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm this function, showcasing its use in various contexts to highlight the severity of unkind or harsh actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really cruel" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a strong degree of unkindness or harshness. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its frequent use in News & Media indicates that it is suitable for neutral to slightly informal registers. When writing, remember that more formal options like "exceptionally harsh" may be preferable in academic settings. Use "really cruel" to effectively communicate strong disapproval of harmful actions, but be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally cruel

Emphasizes a higher degree of cruelty compared to "really cruel".

particularly cruel

Highlights a specific instance of cruelty that stands out.

unusually cruel

Suggests a level of cruelty that is not typical or expected.

incredibly cruel

Implies a strong feeling of disbelief at the level of cruelty.

extremely cruel

Indicates a very high degree of cruelty.

utterly heartless

Focuses on the lack of compassion as the defining characteristic.

thoroughly callous

Emphasizes the insensitivity and indifference of the action or person.

genuinely unkind

Highlights the sincerity and authenticity of the unkind behavior.

plain mean

Uses simple language to describe the cruelty as straightforward and obvious.

downright vicious

Suggests cruelty that is intentionally harmful and malicious.

FAQs

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

"Really cruel" is used to emphasize the harshness or unkindness of something. For example, "It was "really cruel" of them to fire her right before the holidays."

What are some alternatives to "really cruel"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "exceptionally cruel", "extremely cruel", or "utterly heartless".

Is it appropriate to use "really cruel" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "really cruel" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "unjustifiably severe" or "exceptionally harsh".

What makes "really cruel" different from "cruel"?

The addition of "really" intensifies the adjective "cruel", emphasizing the degree of unkindness or harshness. It suggests that the action or situation is notably more cruel than usual.