Synonyms for cruel
56 synonyms for “cruel”, grouped by meaning. Dark green words mean nearly the same thing; light green ones are close in some uses.
Cruel as in “brutal”
adjective: (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
- brutal
- inhuman
- sadistic
- barbarous
- savage
- heartless
- harsh
- callous
- grim
- spiteful
- severe
- vicious
- insensitive
- cold
- forbidding
- fell
- strict
- tough
- stern
- unsympathetic
- inhumane
- merciless
- ruthless
- pitiless
- diabolical
- nasty
- remorseless
- icy
- hardened
- hard
- barbaric
- malicious
- unkind
- hard-boiled
- frosty
- unmoved
- atrocious
- rigorous
- murderous
- dour
- thick-skinned
- bloodthirsty
- outrageous
- rotten
- heinous
- unfeeling
- monstrous
- truculent
- hardhearted
- demonic
- devilish
- diabolic
- unmerciful
- insensate
- inclement
- unforgiving
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