English Meaning & Definitions
An individual who willfully causes pain, suffering, or distress to others, often showing a lack of empathy or compassion.
- “He was known throughout the village as a cruel person who took pleasure in the misfortune of his neighbors.”
- “It is difficult to understand how such a cruel person could hold a position of authority over vulnerable children.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “cruel person”.
The word 'cruel' derives from the Old French 'cruel', which comes from the Latin 'crudelis', meaning 'rough, hard-hearted, or bloodthirsty', likely related to 'crudus' (raw or bloody). 'Person' derives from the Latin 'persona', originally referring to a theatrical mask used by actors to project their voice, eventually evolving to denote an individual human being.
Think of a 'cruel' person as someone who is 'crude' and 'real' in their lack of empathy.
Frequently Asked Questions About “cruel person”
1. What is the meaning of “cruel person” in English?
In English, cruel person (noun) is defined as: “An individual who willfully causes pain, suffering, or distress to others, often showing a lack of empathy or compassion.”.
2. How do you use “cruel person” in a sentence?
“He was known throughout the village as a cruel person who took pleasure in the misfortune of his neighbors.”
3. What are English synonyms of “cruel person”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “cruel person”?
The word 'cruel' derives from the Old French 'cruel', which comes from the Latin 'crudelis', meaning 'rough, hard-hearted, or bloodthirsty', likely related to 'crudus' (raw or bloody). 'Person' derives from the Latin 'persona', originally referring to a theatrical mask used by actors to project their voice, eventually evolving to denote an individual human being.
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