Collocations for "cruel"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "cruel" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
cruel
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a cruel [man, boss, leader]
- a cruel [remark, joke, thing to say]
- that was cruel!
- that was a cruel thing to [do, say]!
- is always so cruel to [children, her employees, animals]
- there is no need to be cruel!
- Why do you have to be so cruel?
- my mind is playing cruel tricks (on me)
- cruel and unusual punishment
- [received, got] cruel treatment
- [saw, uncovered, revealed] his cruel intentions
- [face the, goodbye] cruel world
- it's a cruel world (out there)
- the cruel treatment of
- was a cruel [ruler, emperor, master]
- fate is a cruel mistress
- fate was cruel to him
- met a cruel fate
- by the cruelest twist
- is cruel and twisted
- the cruel irony of
- the cruel and harsh [facts, reality]
- (sometimes) have to be cruel to be kind
'cruel' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):