cruel
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,288 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 14,316 times across 191,579 chapters — 0.007% of every word in the library.
What it means
adjective
- (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering also: barbarous, brutal, fell, roughshod, savage, vicious a barbarous crimebrutal beatings
cruel in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He understood the justice of these cruel reproaches.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Oh, what a cruel beastie To hurt a dragon’s claw!
Poems Every Child Should Know · Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth) [Editor] Burt · Chapter 1
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But a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell!’
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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We call the cruel fair; what name for you That are so merciful?
The White Devil · John Webster · Chapter 1
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He is about eight feet tall, has cruel sunken eyes that burn like dull fires, and dresses entirely in black.
The Firelight Fairy Book · Henry Beston · Chapter 1