Emotions / A2

KROO-uh-l/ˈkruːəl/

Cruel means unkind on purpose, causing pain: a cruel joke, it is cruel to, cruel treatment. Kind is the opposite. Strict is firm about rules, not necessarily cruel. Cruelty is the noun. Do not use cruel for food that tastes bad — that is horrible or awful.

Meaning

Causing pain or unhappiness on purpose.

Examples

• “It is cruel to laugh at someone’s mistakes.”
• “Leaving the dog outside all night was cruel.”
• “Children can be cruel without meaning real harm.”

Good to know

it is cruel to + verb. Opposite: kind. Contrast: strict (firm rules). Noun: cruelty.

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