CRUELTY: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for CRUELTY?

Need another word that means the same as “cruelty”? Find 17 synonyms and 30 related words for “cruelty” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Cruelty” are: mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, cruelness, harshness, brutality, savagery, savageness, inhumanity, barbarism, barbarousness, bloodthirstiness, murderousness, viciousness, ferocity, ferociousness, fierceness

Cruelty as a Noun

Definitions of "Cruelty" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “cruelty” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• Cruel behaviour or attitudes.
• A cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering.
• The quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance.
• Behaviour which causes physical or mental harm to another, especially a spouse, whether intentionally or not.
• Feelings of extreme heartlessness.

Synonyms of "Cruelty" as a noun (17 Words)

barbarism	Absence of culture and civilization. She called the execution an act of barbarism.
barbarousness	The quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane.
bloodthirstiness	A disposition to shed blood.
brutality	A brutal barbarous savage act. Brutality against civilians.
cruelness	A cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering.
ferociousness	The trait of extreme cruelty.
ferocity	The state or quality of being ferocious. She hated him with a ferocity that astonished her.
fierceness	The property of being wild or turbulent.
harshness	The quality of being cruel or severe. Glycerin can be added to reduce the harshness of the soap on the skin.
inhumanity	The quality of lacking compassion or consideration for others. Man s inhumanity to man.
mercilessness	Feelings of extreme heartlessness.
murderousness	A bloodthirsty hatred arousing murderous impulses.
pitilessness	Feelings of extreme heartlessness.
ruthlessness	Mercilessness characterized by a lack of pity. The real world ruthlessness of business.
savageness	The property of being untamed and ferocious. The coastline is littered with testaments to the savageness of the waters.
savagery	The property of being untamed and ferocious. A crime of the utmost savagery.
viciousness	The trait of extreme cruelty. She was visibly shocked by the viciousness of the attack.

Usage Examples of "Cruelty" as a noun

• We can't stand cruelty to animals.
• He has treated her with extreme cruelty.
• The cruelties of forced assimilation and genocide.
• She divorced my stepfather for persistent cruelty.

Associations of "Cruelty" (30 Words)

autocracy	A political system governed by a single individual. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was an autocracy.
barbarism	A word or expression which is badly formed according to traditional philological rules, e.g. a word formed from elements of different languages, such as breathalyser (English and Greek) or television (Greek and Latin). The collapse of civilization and the return to barbarism.
despot	A cruel and oppressive dictator.
despotism	A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc. The ideology of enlightened despotism.
dictatorship	Absolute authority in any sphere. The effects of forty years of dictatorship.
dominate	Have a commanding position over; overlook. The villa dominates the town.
evil	Of a force or spirit embodying or associated with the forces of the devil. His struggle against the forces of evil.
ferocity	The property of being wild or turbulent. She hated him with a ferocity that astonished her.
gory	Covered with blood. A gory dagger.
heretical	Characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards. I feel a bit heretical saying this but I think the film has too much action.
inhumanity	The quality of lacking compassion or consideration for others. Man s inhumanity to man.
insensate	Devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation. Insensate jabbering.
monocracy	A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.
monopolize	Have or exploit a monopoly of. They instituted press censorship and monopolized the means of communication.
oppression	Mental pressure or distress. After years of oppression they finally revolted.
persecution	The act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion. His persecution at the hands of other students.
perversity	The quality of being sexually perverted. They responded with typical perversity.
proletarian	A member of the proletariat. They are true proletarians.
repression	(psychiatry) the classical defense mechanism that protects you from impulses or ideas that would cause anxiety by preventing them from becoming conscious. Students sparked off events that ended in brutal repression.
ruthlessness	Feelings of extreme heartlessness. The real world ruthlessness of business.
savagery	The trait of extreme cruelty. The progress of civilization over savagery.
selfishness	The quality or state of being selfish; lack of consideration for other people. An act of pure selfishness.
suppress	Prevent or inhibit (a process or reaction. The rising was savagely suppressed.
suppression	Stoppage or reduction of a discharge or secretion. The suppression of heresy.
theocracy	The belief in government by divine guidance. It is a society just emerging from theocracy.
tyrannize	Rule or treat (someone) despotically or cruelly. She tyrannized her family.
tyranny	Cruel and oppressive government or rule. Refugees fleeing tyranny and oppression.
tyrant	A tyrant flycatcher. The tyrant was deposed by popular demonstrations.
violence	The unlawful exercise of physical force or intimidation by the exhibition of such force. Screen violence.