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   cru·el·ty

   /ˈkro͞o(ə)ltē/

   noun

   • 1. callous indifference to or pleasure in causing pain and suffering: "he has treated her with extreme cruelty" Similar brutalitysavagerysavagenessinhumanitybarbarismbarbarousnessbrutishnessbloodthirstinessmurderousnessviciousnessferocityferociousnessfiercenesscallousnesssadismruthlessnessrelentlessnessmercilessnesspitilessnessremorselessnesslack of regardlack of sympathylack of charityheartlessnesscold-heartednesscold-bloodednessseverityharshnessinclemencywickednessbadnessbasenessiniquityblacknessblack-heartednessevilfiendishnessdevilishnessheinousnessnastinessunkindnessabuserare:ferityOpposite compassionmercy
   • ▪ behavior that causes pain or suffering to a person or animal: "we can't stand cruelty to animals"
   • ▪ behavior which causes physical or mental harm to another, especially a spouse, whether intentionally or not: "she divorced my stepfather for persistent cruelty"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French crualte, based on Latin crudelitas, from crudelis (see cruel).

   Scrabble Points: 12

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