1.
A ~ person or a ~ blow is violent and cruel.
He was a cruel and ~ man...
He suffered a ~ attack by a gang of white youths...
The blow was so sudden and ~ that he dropped to his knees.
= brutal
ADJ
~ly
She had been ~ly attacked with a hammer.
ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj
~ness
...the intensity and ~ness of these attacks.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
A ~ remark is cruel and intended to upset someone.
It is a deliberate, nasty and ~ attack on a young man’s character.
= savage
ADJ
~ly
‘He deserved to die,’ said Penelope ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v