Definition of "cruel" []

• Disposed to inflict pain or suffering. (adjective)
• Causing suffering; painful. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• ""Mamma! what a cruel, _cruel_ wretch!" cried Walter."
• ""Godo --" she began; and she cast herself on the lounge that Maxwell had vacated, and plunged her face in the pillow and sobbed, "Oh, cruel, cruel, _cruel_!"
• "Whoever assigned eight A.M. for Molecular Biology 201 gave new meaning to the term cruel and unusual punishment."