adverb

cruelly

cruelly, brutally, harshly

He was cruelly punished for a minor mistake.

He was cruelly punished for a minor mistake.

The weather was cruelly cold.

The weather was cruelly cold.

((verb + cruelly)) to do (sth.) in a cruel way He was cruelly treated.

((cruelly + adjective)) extremely or unfairly (adjective) It was cruelly ironic.

Synonyms: brutally, harshly, viciously; Antonyms: kindly, gently

From the adjective 'cruel' + the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'.

This simply means 'in a cruel way'. It follows the same pattern as 'slow' becoming 'slowly'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.