cru·el  (krōō'əl)  adj. cru·el·er or cru·el·ler, cru·el·est or cru·el·lest
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin crūdēlis; see kreuə- in Indo-European roots.] cru'el·ly adv., cru'el·ness n. Synonyms: These adjectives mean predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others: a cruel tyrant; a fierce warrior; a ferocious attack dog; a barbarous crime; inhuman treatment of captured soldiers; a savage outburst of temper; a vicious kick. |