Alternative form of crewel
"The ancient textile pattern featured intricate designs created using a cruel yarn on rough fabric."
"The cruelty of his actions shocked everyone in the room."
To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)
"His constant interruptions were cruel to his chances of winning the competition."
In plain English: To be cruel as a verb means to treat someone badly on purpose by causing them pain or suffering.
"Stop being so cruel to your feelings by constantly criticizing yourself for mistakes you cannot help making."
Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.
"The cruel guard laughed as he kicked the prisoner until they could no longer stand."
In plain English: Cruel means being mean enough to cause pain on purpose without any good reason.
Usage: Use "cruel" to describe actions that intentionally cause unnecessary pain or show a lack of mercy toward others. This word applies specifically to deliberate harm rather than accidental injury or natural hardship.
To a great degree; terribly.
"The cruel winter left the crops completely frozen and dead."
In plain English: Cruely means doing something very mean and causing pain on purpose.
"She was cruel to him by laughing at his mistakes in public."
The word cruel comes from the Latin crūdēlis, which originally meant "hard" or "severe." It is related to the Latin word crūdus, meaning "raw" or "crude."