1. (

• cruelty ,
• inhuman_treatment

) a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering ;

2. (

• cruelty ,
• mercilessness ,
• pitilessness ,
• ruthlessness

) feelings of extreme heartlessness ;

3. (

• cruelty ,
• cruelness ,
• harshness ,

) the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance ;