B1adjective2K

Cruel

UK /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/US /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/

Definition

having a desire to cause physical or mental pain and make somebody suffer

In simple words: Very bad or causing pain to others.

Examples

  • The cruel winter left many people struggling to survive.
  • He made a cruel joke that offended everyone at the party.
  • Some animals face cruel treatment in captivity.
  • It seemed cruel to deny him the chance to participate.
  • Her cruel remarks during the meeting demotivated the entire team.

Usage notes

Use 'cruel' to describe actions or behaviors that cause pain or distress, often applied to people or situations. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where a lighter term might suffice.

Grammar pattern

cruel + object

Memory hint

Think of 'cruel' like 'crew-el' — a crew that is mean or harsh.

Collocations

  • be
  • seem
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • to
  • be
  • seem
  • sound
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • to

Synonyms

  • harsh
  • brutal
  • savage
  • mean
  • heartless

Antonyms

  • kind
  • gentle
  • humane

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'cruel' with 'cool' when spoken.
  • Using 'cruel' to describe minor annoyances.
  • Assuming 'cruel' can only apply to people, not actions or situations.