crueltycru‧el‧ty /ˈkruːəlti/ ●●○ noun (plural cruelties) 
The children had suffered cruelty and neglect. There was a hint of cruelty in Brian’s smile.cruelty to cruelty to animalscruelty of the cruelty of the slave trade The deliberate cruelty of his words cut her like a knife. the cruelties of war2[uncountable] the unfairness of something that happens: the cruelty of life
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Burnett has campaigned against cruelty to animals for more than 20 years.
- Her black eye and bruises were undeniable evidence of his cruelty.
- Khrushchev officially revealed the cruelties of Stalin's regime.
- There have been reports of cruelty and rape from the war zone.
- There was an edge of cruelty to their jokes.
- What kind of person could treat a fellow human being with such cruelty?
- But the horror which writers such as Dickens expressed at the cruelty of his times was prompted by no such knowledge.
- Each year animal welfare groups document instances of cruelty, but prosecutions have been rare.
- His wife denies 20 cruelty charges.
- There is in these miniatures an arresting potion of cruelty.
- Through the passing days, the biting cruelty of it all slowly healed, leaving only the scar tissue.
- Within the familiarity of marriage there are many subtle ways of showing anger, contempt or cruelty.
- You have to go beyond that, transcend revenge and pique and cruelty and cowardice.
Longman Language Activatorcruel behaviour
cruel treatment or behaviour: · What kind of person could treat a fellow human being with such cruelty?· Her black eye and bruises were undeniable evidence of his cruelty.cruelty to: · Burnett has campaigned against cruelty to animals for more than 20 years.
deliberately cruel treatment of someone, especially someone in your family that you are supposed to care for: · Doctors believed that there was no evidence of abuse, despite the woman's claims.child abuse (=cruel treatment of children): · There has been an increase in the number of cases of child abuse.sexual abuse (=when someone forces another person to take part in sexual activities): · a victim of sexual abuse
cruel treatment of someone who is smaller, younger, or weaker - use this especially about children being cruel to other children: · The government has become involved in the effort to solve the problem of bullying in schools.
cruel treatment of people or animals, especially those you have some control over: · There can be no good reason for the ill-treatment of factory-farm animals.· Jailers singled out certain prisoners for maltreatment.· There can be no excuse for the mistreatment of people seeking asylum in this country.
cruel treatment of people because of their religious or political beliefs, or because of the race they belong to: · Many Jews fled to America to escape persecution in Europe.· Katya asked the United States to protect her from persecution in her home country.persecution of: · the relentless persecution of American Communists in the 1950s
extremely cruel and shocking actions against people, especially during a war: · Survivors from the concentration camps had witnessed unspeakable atrocities.commit atrocities: · Retreating soldiers told stories of awful atrocities committed by the enemy.
taking pleasure in cruel acts: · Sadism may stem from a desire to dominate.· Mzukwa grew quiet as he recalled the brutality and sadism of the prison guards.
cruelty that includes violence and a complete lack of sympathy for people's suffering: · Reformists were appalled by the immorality and inhumanity of the slave trade.· The novel focuses on the inhumanity of prisons and labour camps.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He can’t stand cruelty to animals of any sort.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
He can’t stand cruelty to animals of any sort.· Francis of Assisi guilty of animal cruelty?· In Central News tonight: A sickening case - Woman faces jail for animal cruelty.· The agency probably will recommend that the district attorney file misdemeanor animal cruelty and neglect charges against Broden, she said.· One of the victims recently served a prison sentence for animal cruelty.· Farmer on trial for breaking animal cruelty ban.
WORD FAMILYnouncrueltyadjectivecrueladverbcruelly
1[countable, uncountable] behaviour or actions that deliberately cause pain to people or animals OPP kindness: The children had suffered cruelty and neglect. There was a hint of cruelty in Brian’s smile.cruelty to cruelty to animalscruelty of the cruelty of the slave trade The deliberate cruelty of his words cut her like a knife. the cruelties of war2[uncountable] the unfairness of something that happens: the cruelty of life