Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun cruelty

3 senses of cruelty

Sense 1
cruelty, inhuman treatment -- (a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering)
       => maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abuse -- (cruel or inhumane treatment; "the child showed signs of physical abuse")

Sense 2
cruelty, mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness -- (feelings of extreme heartlessness)
       => heartlessness, coldheartedness, hardheartedness -- (an absence of concern for the welfare of others)

Sense 3
cruelty, cruelness, harshness -- (the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance)
       => malevolence, malevolency, malice -- (the quality of threatening evil)