King James Bible Dictionary

CRUEL, adjective [Latin See Crude and Rude.]

1. Disposed to give pain to others, in body or mind; willing or pleased to torment, vex or afflict; inhuman; destitute of pity, compassion or kindness; fierce; ferocious; savage; barbarous; hardhearted; applied to persons or their dispositions.

They are cruel and have no mercy. Jeremiah 6:23.

2. Inhuman; barbarous; savage; causing pain, grief or distress; exerted in tormenting, vexing or afflicting.

Cursed be their wrath, for it was cruel Genesis 44:1.

The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel Proverbs 12:10.

Others had trials of cruel mockings. Hebrews 11:36.

CRUELLY, adverb

1. In a cruel manner; with cruelty; inhumanly; barbarously.

Because he cruelly oppressed, he shall die in his iniquity. Ezekiel 18:18.

2. Painfully; with severe pain, or torture; as, an instrument may cut the flesh most cruelly

CRUELNESS, noun Inhumanity; cruelty.

Instances of:

Of Sarah to Hagar
Genesis 16:6; Genesis 21:9-14

Of Egyptians to the Israelites
Exodus 5:6-18

Of Peninnah to Hannah
1 Samuel 1:4-7; 1 Samuel 2:3

Of Jews to Jesus
Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:28-31

Of soldiers to Jesus
Luke 22:64; John 19:3

In War
Isaiah 13:16; Isaiah 13:18
Animals, Cruelty to; Kindness; Love; Malice; Prisoners, Of War

CRUELTY, noun [Latin]

1. Inhumanity; a savage or barbarous disposition or temper, which is gratified in giving unnecessary pain or distress to others; barbarity; applied to persons; as the cruelty of savages; the cruelty and envy of the people.

2. Barbarous deed; any act of a human being which inflicts unnecessary pain; any act intended to torment, vex or afflict, or which actually torments or afflicts, without necessity; wrong; injustice; oppression.

With force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Ezekiel 34:4.