adj. cru·el·er, cru·el·est or cru·el·ler or cru·el·lest 1. Disposed to inflict pain or suffering: a cruel tyrant. 2. Causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or distress: cruel treatment; a cruel remark. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin crūdēlis; see kreuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] cruel·ly adv. cruel·ness n. |
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