Words / B1

KROO-uh-ltee/ˈkruːəlti/

Cruelty is behaviour that deliberately causes pain (often uncountable). Cruel is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Kindness is an opposite. RSPCA: investigates cruelty to livestock, not lost cats.

Meaning

Behaviour that deliberately causes pain or distress (often uncountable).

Examples

• “The charity investigates cruelty to livestock, not lost cats.”
• “Cruelty on a ward is a safeguarding issue, not a staffing joke.”

Good to know

Often uncountable. cruelty to + noun. Adjective: cruel. Opposite: kindness. Animal / safeguarding news. Countable for types in law (cruelty to children).

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