Cruel Synonyms

76 cruel synonyms include brutal, savage, inhuman, barbaric, barbarous, brutish, bloodthirsty, murderous, homicidal, and cut-throat. Cruel is an adjective, and its antonyms are compassionate and merciful. Here are some additional synonyms for "cruel" with example sentences.

Another word for Cruel

76 other ways to say cruel.

1. brutal

  • wicked  
  •  
  • vile  
  •  
  • vicious  
  •  
  • unsympathetic  
  •  
  • unsparing  
  •  
  • unrelenting  
  •  
  • unmerciful  
  •  
  • unkind  
  •  
  • unfeeling  
  •  
  • unemotional  
  •  
  • uncharitable  
  •  
  • uncaring  
  •  
  • stony-hearted  
  •  
  • stern  
  •  
  • spiteful  
  •  
  • severe
  •   
  • savage  
  •  
  • sanguinary  
  •  
  • sadistic  
  •  
  • ruthless
  •   
  • remorseless  
  •  
  • pitiless  
  •  
  • nasty  
  •  
  • murderous  
  •  
  • monstrous  
  •  
  • merciless  
  •  
  • mean  
  •  
  • inhumane  
  •  
  • inhuman  
  •  
  • inclement  
  •  
  • homicidal  
  •  
  • hideous  
  •  
  • heinous  
  •  
  • heartless  
  •  
  • harsh
  •   
  • hard-hearted  
  •  
  • ghastly  
  •  
  • flinty  
  •  
  • fierce
  •   
  • fiendish  
  •  
  • ferocious  
  •  
  • evil
  •   
  • draconian  
  •  
  • diabolical  
  •  
  • devilish  
  •  
  • dastardly  
  •  
  • cut-throat  
  •  
  • cold-hearted  
  •  
  • cold-blooded  
  •  
  • callous  
  •  
  • brutish  
  •  
  • brutal
  •   
  • bloodthirsty  
  •  
  • bloodless  
  •  
  • beastly  
  •  
  • barbarous  
  •  
  • barbaric  
  •  
  • atrocious  
  •  
  • abominable
  •   

2. harsh

  • upsetting  
  •  
  • traumatic  
  •  
  • tough
  •   
  • severe
  •   
  • painful  
  •  
  • heartbreaking  
  •  
  • heart-rending  
  •  
  • harsh
  •   
  • harrowing  
  •  
  • hard
  •   
  • grim
  •   
  • grievous  
  •  
  • excruciating  
  •  
  • distressing  
  •  
  • distressful  
  •  
  • bitter
  •   
  • agonizing  
  •  

Use cruel in a Sentence

His actions were incredibly cruel.

She spoke in a cruel tone.

The punishment seemed exceptionally cruel.