(derog 贬) ~ (to sb/sth) (of people) making others suffer, esp intentionally （指人）残暴的, 残忍的, 残酷的: a cruel boss, master, dictator, etc 残暴的老板﹑ 主人﹑ 独裁者等 * people oppressed by a cruel tyranny 受残酷暴政压制的人们 * Don't be cruel to animals. 不要虐待动物. 
causing pain or suffering 使人痛苦的; 让人受难的: a cruel blow, punishment, disease 叫人吃不消的打击﹑ 惩罚﹑ 疾病 * cruel (ie bad) luck 恶运 * War is cruel. 战争是残酷无情的. > cruelly / 5krUElI; `kruElI/ adv: I was cruelly deceived. 我被骗得很惨.