cruelty

Universal Words noun (plural cruelties) 1 [U] (to sb/sth) behaviour that causes pain or suffering to others, especially deliberately: cruelty to animals * The deliberate cruelty of his words cut her like a knife. 2 [C,usually pl.] a cruel action: Frightening cruelties were inflicted on child factory workers well into the 19th century. 3 [C,U] something that happens that seems unfair: the cruelties of life