Cruel vs. Cruelness: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 23, 2024
Cruel is an adjective describing someone who causes suffering, while cruelness is a noun referring to the quality of being cruel.
Key Differences
Cruel is an adjective used to describe a person or action that intentionally causes pain or suffering. It focuses on the behavior or characteristic of inflicting harm, often highlighting a person's harsh or ruthless nature. For example, "The cruel king showed no mercy to his prisoners." Cruelness, on the other hand, is a noun that denotes the quality or state of being cruel. It refers to the abstract concept of cruelty rather than specific actions or behaviors. For instance, "The cruelness of the dictator's regime was evident in its brutal policies."
Cruel can describe temporary or situational actions, such as a cruel remark or a cruel trick, indicating an isolated incident of harshness. In contrast, cruelness typically implies a consistent or inherent trait, emphasizing a pervasive or ingrained nature of cruelty.
The term cruel is more commonly used in everyday language to describe direct actions or behaviors. In contrast, cruelness is less frequent and often appears in more formal or literary contexts, describing the overarching characteristic or essence of cruelty.
Cruel implies an active role in causing harm, often with a direct object involved. For example, "She was cruel to her pets." Cruelness, being a noun, is used more abstractly, such as in "His cruelness knew no bounds," where it represents a general disposition rather than a specific action.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
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Usage
Describes behavior/actions
Describes the quality/trait
Commonality
More frequently used
Less frequently used
Context
Everyday language
Formal or literary contexts
Examples
"A cruel person"
"The cruelness of the act"
Cruel and Cruelness Definitions
Cruel
Intentionally causing pain or suffering.
The teacher was cruel to the misbehaving student.
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Cruelness
The quality of being cruel.
The cruelness of his actions shocked everyone.
Cruel
Showing a lack of compassion or mercy.
His cruel demeanor frightened the children.
Cruelness
The trait of being unkind or brutal.
The cruelness of the dictator's rule was well-documented.
Cruel
Harsh and severe.
The cruel winter weather left many stranded.
Cruelness
A tendency to cause pain or suffering.
His cruelness knew no limits.
Cruel
Involving or causing suffering or harm.
The experiment was deemed too cruel to continue.
Cruelness
A state of being harsh or severe.
The cruelness of the punishment was unjustifiable.
Cruel
Unkind and brutal.
She made a cruel remark about his appearance.
Cruelness
The characteristic of lacking compassion or mercy.
Her cruelness became evident during the argument.
Cruel
Disposed to inflict pain or suffering
A cruel tyrant.
Cruelness
Disposed to inflict pain or suffering
A cruel tyrant.
Cruel
Causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or distress
Cruel treatment.
A cruel remark.
Cruelness
Causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or distress
Cruel treatment.
A cruel remark.
Cruel
Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.
The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.
Cruelness
The state of being cruel; cruelty
Cruel
Harsh; severe.
Cruelness
Cruelty.
Cruel
(slang) Cool; awesome; neat.
Cruelness
The quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
Cruel
(nonstandard) To a great degree; terribly.
Cruel
To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)
Cruel
To violently provoke (a child) in the belief that this will make them more assertive.
Cruel
See Crewel.
Cruel
Disposed to give pain to others; willing or pleased to hurt, torment, or afflict; destitute of sympathetic kindness and pity; savage; inhuman; hard-hearted; merciless.
Behold a people cometh from the north country; . . . they are cruel and have no mercy.
Cruel
Causing, or fitted to cause, pain, grief, or misery.
Cruel wars, wasting the earth.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath for it was cruel.
Cruel
Attended with cruetly; painful; harsh.
You have seen cruel proof of this man's strength.
Cruel
Lacking or showing kindness or compassion or mercy
Cruel
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering;
A barbarous crime
Brutal beatings
Cruel tortures
Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks
A savage slap
Vicious kicks
Cruel
(of weapons or instruments) causing suffering and pain;
Brutal instruments of torture
Cruel weapons of war
Cruel
Used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause suffering;
Brutal weather
Northern winters can be cruel
A cruel world
A harsh climate
A rigorous climate
Unkind winters
FAQs
What is "cruelness"?
Cruelness is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being cruel.
How is "cruel" used in a sentence?
E.g., "The coach was cruel to the underperforming players."
Can you give an example of "cruel" in everyday language?
E.g., "The cruel joke hurt his feelings."
Is "cruelness" a common word?
No, it is less commonly used than "cruel."
Can "cruelness" describe a person's actions?
It describes the quality behind actions, not the actions themselves.
Does "cruel" have a direct object?
Yes, it often describes an action directed at someone or something.
How do you describe someone who lacks compassion?
You can describe them as cruel.
What part of speech is "cruelness"?
Cruelness is a noun.
Is "cruel" always negative?
Yes, it has a negative connotation.
What does "cruel" mean?
Cruel means intentionally causing pain or suffering.
Is "cruelness" used in everyday conversation?
It is more common in formal or literary contexts.
Is "cruel" an adjective?
Yes, cruel is an adjective.
Can "cruelness" be used to describe a person's nature?
Yes, it describes the inherent quality of being cruel.
Can "cruel" describe a temporary action?
Yes, such as in "a cruel remark."
What is an example of "cruelness" in literature?
E.g., "The novel depicted the cruelness of the protagonist's rule."
Does "cruelness" imply consistency?
Yes, it often implies a consistent trait.
What is a synonym for "cruel"?
Harsh or ruthless.
Is "cruel" used more frequently than "cruelness"?
Yes, "cruel" is used more frequently.
Which term is more abstract, "cruel" or "cruelness"?
Cruelness is more abstract.
What is the difference between "cruel" and "cruelness"?
Cruel is an adjective describing actions or behavior, while cruelness is a noun describing the quality.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
