crueldad
“crueldad” means “cruelty” in Spanish (the general quality of being cruel).
cruelty
Also: cruel act
📝 In Action
No entiendo la crueldad de algunas personas.
A2I don't understand the cruelty of some people.
La película muestra la crueldad de la guerra.
B1The movie shows the cruelty of war.
Abandonar a una mascota es una gran crueldad.
B2Abandoning a pet is a great act of cruelty.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: crueldad
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct way to say 'The cruelty'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'crudelitas', which describes a state of being harsh or unfeeling, related to 'crudus' meaning raw or bloody.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'cruel' and 'crueldad'?
'Cruel' is an adjective used to describe a person or thing (e.g., 'a cruel man'). 'Crueldad' is the noun for the concept itself (e.g., 'the cruelty of the man').
How do I make 'crueldad' plural?
Since it ends in a consonant, you add '-es' to the end. The plural is 'crueldades'.
Is 'crueldad' a formal word?
It is a neutral word. It is appropriate in formal writing, news reports, and casual conversations about behavior.