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{%type%} Definitions

WordNet 3.0Copyright Princeton University
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Short "hint"

Causing pain and suffering.

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Usage examples (25)
  • Water is a good servant, but it is a cruel master.
  • Whoever assigned eight A.M. for Molecular Biology 201 gave new meaning to the term cruel and unusual punishment.
  • The term cruel includes the concept of intent - an intention to inflict pain and/or suffering.
  • 'Now that's what I call a cruel question!' cried Mike humorously.
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Tutoring comment
  • Making her embroider with that "crewel" (thin piece of yarn used in embroidery) day after day is "cruel" (causing intense suffering or damage).
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