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cruelty (n.)

c. 1200, cruelte, "indifference to, or pleasure taken in, the distress or suffering of any sentient being," from Old French crualté (12c., Modern French cruauté), from Latin crudelitatem (nominative crudelitas) "cruelty," from crudelis "rude, unfeeling; cruel, hard-hearted," related to crudus "rough, raw, bloody" (see crude). Meaning "a cruel act" is from late 14c.

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Definitions of cruelty from WordNet

cruelty (n.)
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering;
Synonyms: inhuman treatment
cruelty (n.)
feelings of extreme heartlessness;
Synonyms: mercilessness / pitilessness / ruthlessness
cruelty (n.)
the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance;
Synonyms: cruelness / harshness
From wordnet.princeton.edu