cruel

Definition

Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.

Etymology

From Middle English cruel, borrowed from Old French cruel, from Latin crūdēlis (“hard, severe, cruel”), akin to crūdus (“raw, crude”); see crude.

Example Sentences

• "The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find."
• "We're certainly having quite a cruel winter this year."
• "The thought that something might befall him that would leave her entirely at the mercy of this beast caused him greater anxiety than the probability that almost certain death awaited her should she be left entirely alone upon the outskirts of the cruel forest."

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