cruelty Play nounCruel behaviour or attitudes. SYNONYMS abusebadnessbarbarismbarbarousnessbasenessblack-heartednessblacknessbloodthirstinessbrutalitybrutishnesscallousnesscold-bloodednesscold-heartednessdevilishnessevilferityferociousnessferocityfiendishnessfiercenessharshnessheartlessnessheinousnessinclemencyinhumanityiniquitylack of charitylack of regardlack of sympathymercilessnessmurderousnessnastinesspitilessnessrelentlessnessremorselessnessruthlessnesssadismsavagenesssavageryseverityunkindnessviciousnesswickedness