The term “cruel” suggests a lack of consideration, generosity, or concern for the sentiments and welfare of others. A few common antonyms of “cruel” are merciful, kind, tender, compassionate, gentle, etc. Knowing the opposite words of cruel helps you express emotions, behaviour, and character more clearly.
To know more about the word and its multiple antonyms, read the blog article given below.
This Blog Includes:
Meaning of Cruel
The word cruel can be understood as willfully causing pain or suffering to others, often for personal gain. It can be used to describe both physical and emotional pain.
Many different forms of cruelty include physical abuse, emotional exploitation, and even a lack of concern for the suffering of others. It is typically viewed as a bad and ethically repugnant trait.
Cruel – Meaning: Showing pleasure in causing pain or being indifferent to the suffering of others.
Example Sentences:
- The cruel king punished innocent people.
- It was cruel to ignore the injured animal.
Also Read: Antonyms of “Foolish” with Meaning and Examples
Antonyms of Cruel
Antonyms of “cruel” include words that describe behaviours or actions that are characterised by kindness, compassion, empathy, and a lack of harm or suffering. Here are some antonyms for “cruel”:
- Kind
- Compassionate
- Merciful
- Gentle
- Tender
- Benevolent
- Caring
- Sympathetic
- Considerate
- Loving
- Humanitarian
- Empathetic
- Tenderhearted
- Generous
- Sensitive
Usage with Examples
Here are some examples of antonyms of “cruel” mentioned below for your reference.
- The kind teacher always helped her students with their problems.
- The judge showed mercy and reduced the sentence for the remorseful offender.
- She had a gentle touch, which was comforting to her patients.
- His caring nature made him a great caregiver for his elderly parents.
- He was considerate enough to let her have the last piece of cake.
- The sympathetic friend listened attentively as she shared her troubles.
- She dedicated her life to humanitarian work, helping those in need around the world.
Antonyms of Cruel Words with their Meanings
This section explains common opposite words of cruel, along with their simple meanings. It helps learners understand and use positive vocabulary correctly in sentences and exams.
| Words | Meaning |
| Kind | Friendly and caring |
| Compassionate | Deep concern for others |
| Merciful | Forgiving and lenient |
| Gentle | Soft and calm |
| Humane | Showing kindness |
| Caring | Concerned for well-being |
| Benevolent | Kind and generous |
| Tender | Loving and sensitive |
| Sympathetic | Understanding emotions |
| Considerate | Thoughtful of others |
Antonyms of Cruel Quiz
Choose the correct antonym for “cruel”:
- Lazy
- Sympathy
- Long Lasting
Answer: Sympathy
Also Read: Antonyms of Confident with Meaning and Examples
Understanding the antonyms of cruel helps you express positivity, empathy, and moral values in English. Words like kind, compassionate, humane, and merciful are powerful tools for writing better sentences, essays, and exam answers. By learning meanings, examples, and proper usage, you can confidently replace negative expressions with positive and impactful vocabulary.
FAQs
Kind is the most commonly used antonym of cruel.
Yes, in informal English, nice can act as an antonym, but it is not ideal for exams or formal writing.
Yes, humane is frequently used for the ethical treatment of animals.
Words like compassionate, benevolent, and merciful work well in essays.
Related Posts
This was all about the antonym of “cruel” with meaning and examples. Hopefully, you understood the usage of the word. To read more antonym blogs, follow Leverage Edu.
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