cruelty

/ˈkruːəlti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkruːəlti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē/ (ame, mw)

cruelty — noun

  • crueltysingular
  • crueltiesplural

1. The act or habit of causing pain or suffering to people or animals, especially w

1.名詞B1
釋義

The act or habit of causing pain or suffering to people or animals, especially when done deliberately.

例句

Pim could not understand the cruelty of people who abandon pets on the street.

cruelty + of + group/person

Zuri was shocked by the cruelty towards homeless people in her city.

cruelty + towards + someone

同義詞
  • brutality

    Emphasises physical violence more strongly than cruelty

  • harshness

    Less extreme than cruelty; can describe strict treatment or severe conditions

  • ruthlessness

    Focuses on the lack of guilt or hesitation when causing harm

  • savagery

    Suggests wild, violent cruelty with no control

反義詞
  • kindness

    The opposite quality of being gentle, caring, and considerate

  • compassion

    A feeling of concern for the suffering of others that leads to helpful action

文法句型

cruelty + to + someone

cruelty + towards + someone

cruelty + against + someone

act of cruelty

用法筆記

Can be uncountable (cruelty as a general quality, e.g. 'cruelty to animals') or countable ('the cruelties of war' = specific cruel acts). The countable form is less common and usually appears in plural.

常見錯誤

❌The cruelty to animals is wrong.
✅Cruelty to animals is wrong.
💡No article needed when cruelty is used as a general uncountable concept.
❌He treated her with cruelty and disrespectful.
✅He treated her with cruelty and disrespect.
💡Use a parallel noun form after 'with'.