— cruelly , adv. — cruelness , n.
/krooh"euhl/ , adj., crueler, cruelest .
1. willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others.
2. enjoying the pain or distress of others: the cruel spectators of the gladiatorial contests.
3. causing or marked by great pain or distress: a cruel remark; a cruel affliction.
4. rigid; stern; strict; unrelentingly severe.
[ 1175-1225; ME crudelis, equiv. to crud ( us ) (see CRUDE) + -elis adj. suffix ]
Syn. 1. bloodthirsty, ferocious, merciless, relentless. CRUEL, PITILESS, RUTHLESS, BRUTAL, SAVAGE imply readiness to cause pain to others. CRUEL implies willingness to cause pain, and indifference to suffering: a cruel stepfather. PITILESS adds the idea of refusal to show compassion: pitiless to captives. RUTHLESS implies cruelty and unscrupulousness, letting nothing stand in one's way: ruthless greed. BRUTAL implies cruelty that takes the form of physical violence: a brutal master. SAVAGE suggests fierceness and brutality: savage battles.
Ant. 1. kind. 2. sympathetic, compassionate.