cruel
Translation
cruel, brutal, heartless
Examples
He was a cruel and heartless man.
He was a cruel and heartless man.
It was a cruel twist of fate.
It was a cruel twist of fate.
Don't be cruel to animals.
Don't be cruel to animals.
Grammar Patterns
((cruel to sb./sth.)) causing pain or suffering to (sb./sth.) Don't be cruel to your sister.
((a cruel sth.)) a (sth.) that is harsh or causes suffering That was a cruel punishment.
Similar Words
Synonyms: brutal, heartless, merciless; Antonyms: kind, compassionate
Etymology
From Latin 'crudelis' (cruel), related to 'crudus' (raw).
Memory Tips
Remember its link to 'crude' (raw). Imagine someone who is indifferent to the 'raw' pain of others.