Cruel
/ˈkruː.əl/noun
Causing pain or suffering; harsh and unfeeling.
Did you know?The word 'cruel' stems from Latin 'crudelis', which originally meant 'rough' or 'raw', reflecting a primal sense of brutality and harshness.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
crudelis
“Rough, raw; associated with brutality and harshness.”
Old French
Old French
cruel
“Harsh; embodying or inflicting suffering.”
Middle English
Middle English
cruel
“Describing someone or something that causes pain or distress.”
Modern English
English
cruel
“Identifying actions or behaviors that are intentionally hurtful or oppressive.”