Cruel Meaning
Cruel Definition & Usage
Deliberately causing pain, suffering, or harm to others, often without remorse or compassion.
Examples
- "The cruel punishment inflicted on the prisoners shocked the entire community."
- "Her cruel remarks about his appearance left him speechless and hurt."
- "The cruel reality of the war was evident in every corner of the town."
- "The coach's cruel tactics demoralized the players, leading to their defeat."
- "He was known for his cruel treatment of animals, which led to his arrest."
Characterizing a situation, environment, or event that is harsh, unforgiving, or excessively difficult to endure.
Examples
- "The cruel winter weather froze the town's water supply."
- "The cruel heat of the desert made it impossible to survive without shelter."
- "He faced the cruel truth that his business was going bankrupt."
- "The cruel hand of fate had dealt him one hardship after another."
- "They survived the cruelest of circumstances during the war, but many did not make it."
Cultural Context
Cruelty has been a central theme in human history, appearing in literature, mythology, and real-life events. It often highlights the darker side of human nature and the capacity for harm that exists when empathy and morality are absent. In many cultures, acts of cruelty are universally condemned and seen as a violation of ethical norms.
The Bitter Winter
Story
The Bitter Winter
It was the cruelest winter in living memory. The winds howled through the narrow streets, biting at every inch of exposed skin. Sarah huddled against the wall of the abandoned house, her breath forming small clouds in the icy air. She had lost track of time, but it didn’t matter anymore. The cruel winter had already taken everything: her home, her family, her hope. Every step she took on the frozen ground felt like an eternity of suffering. 'Why did it have to be like this?' she thought, as the relentless cold wrapped itself around her like a vice. As she stumbled toward what she thought was safety, the cruel reality of her situation hit her again—she had no food, no warmth, and no one left to help her. It wasn’t just the weather; it was the entire world that seemed against her. Every sound in the deserted village seemed to mock her, echoing the despair that had taken root in her heart. Sarah’s thoughts drifted back to the day she had last seen her brother, before the brutal storm and the subsequent loss of their parents. His cruel words still rang in her ears. 'You’re nothing without them,' he had said, in the moment when they both knew they were fighting to survive. He had been right, but she would never admit it to him. Now, with nothing left but the fierce will to survive, Sarah looked up at the sky, praying for the cruelty of winter to end. But in that moment, she realized the greatest cruelty was not the season, nor the storm, but the human heart. How easily it could turn cold and unfeeling, abandoning all hope when faced with true hardship.
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