cruel

/ˈkrü(-ə)l/

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crudelis, from crudus seecrude

adjective

  1. disposed to inflict pain or suffering : devoid of humane feelings

  2. causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain

  3. unrelieved by leniency

a cruel tyrant

fierce ferocious barbarous savage cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

noun

  1. punishment that is very harsh and too severe for the crime

The law forbids cruel and unusual punishment.

noun

  1. something that is very hard to bear

Life has dealt them some cruel blows in recent years.