B1adjective 2K

Cruel

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/

Meaning of Cruel

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

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

Cruel in a sentence

• 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.

How to use Cruel

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.

Related words

Collocations with Cruel

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

Synonyms for Cruel

• harsh
• brutal
• savage
• mean
• heartless

Opposites of Cruel

• kind
• gentle
• humane

Common mistakes with Cruel

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

Frequently asked questions about Cruel

What does Cruel mean?

Very bad or causing pain to others.

What is the definition of Cruel?

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

How do you use Cruel in a sentence?

The cruel winter left many people struggling to survive.

Can you give another example of Cruel?

He made a cruel joke that offended everyone at the party.

What are synonyms for Cruel?

Common alternatives include harsh, brutal, savage, mean, heartless.

What is the opposite of Cruel?

Opposite meanings include kind, gentle, humane.

What words go with Cruel?

It commonly pairs with be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, to, be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, to.

What are common mistakes when using Cruel?

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

How do you pronounce Cruel?

US: /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/, UK: /["/ˈkruːəl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Cruel?

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.

What CEFR level is Cruel?

"Cruel" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.