crueler
Less kind than
Crueler is the comparative form of cruel—more disposed to cause pain or suffering, or more indifferent to it.
The second winter proved crueler than the first.
Each round of cuts seemed crueler than the last.
Also spelled crueller, especially in British English.
Fierce and untamed
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
barbaric · violent · fierce · bloodthirsty · bestial · monstrous · truculent · cutthroat
Cruelly insensitive to others
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- cold-heartedDevoid of empathy
- unsympatheticWithout pity or understanding
uncompassionate · soulless · stony · icy · frigid · cold-blooded · hard-hearted · pitiless
Meaning to do harm
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
vicious · diabolical · fiendish · depraved · twisted · perverse · tormenting · torturous
Showing no leniency
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unsparingShowing no leniency
- implacableIncapable of being pacified
- inexorableImpossible to prevent
unyielding · remorseless · unrelenting · pitiless · unmerciful · obdurate · flinty · steely
Extremely harsh or strict
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- punitiveInflicting or intending penalty
- draconianExtremely harsh, especially laws
stringent · rigorous · uncompromising · exacting · demanding · oppressive · tyrannical · despotic
savage
Fierce and untamed
ferocious · barbaric · violent · fierce · bloodthirsty · bestial · monstrous · truculent · cutthroat · wolfish
callous
Cruelly insensitive to others
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- cold-heartedDevoid of empathy
unsympathetic · uncompassionate · soulless · stony · icy · frigid · cold-blooded · hard-hearted · pitiless · unmoved
malicious
Meaning to do harm
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
mean-spirited · vicious · diabolical · fiendish · depraved · twisted · perverse · tormenting · torturous · punishing
unforgiving
Showing no leniency
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- unsparingShowing no leniency
- implacableIncapable of being pacified
inexorable · unyielding · remorseless · unrelenting · pitiless · unmerciful · obdurate · flinty · steely · unbending
severe
Extremely harsh or strict
draconian · stringent · rigorous · uncompromising · exacting · demanding · oppressive · tyrannical · despotic · authoritarian
- animal crueltyMistreatment of beasts
- cruel kindness
- cruel twist
- cruel jokeDeliberately hurtful humor
- cruel words
- cruel and unusualExcessively harsh and abnormal
cruel, cruelty, cruelly, cruelties, cruellest, crueller, cruelest