Inflected forms: cru·el·er or cru·el·ler, cru·el·est or cru·el·lest 1. Disposed to inflict pain or suffering. 2. Causing suffering; painful.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin crdlis. See kreu- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
cruel·ly —ADVERB cruel·ness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
cruel, fierce, ferocious, barbarous, inhuman, savage, vicious These adjectives mean predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others: a cruel tyrant; a fierce warrior; a ferocious attack dog; a barbarous crime; inhuman treatment of captured soldiers; a savage outburst of temper; a vicious kick.
kr
l
d
lis. See kreu
