English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Cruelty Pronunciation
Cruelty is pronounced KROOL-tee, IPA /ˈkruəlti/.
KROOL-tee
US /ˈkruəlti/ · UK /ˈkruːəlti/
Syllables: KROOL · tee (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun: Behaviour that deliberately causes pain or suffering.
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Cruelty in a Sentence
- The law treats cruelty to animals as a criminal offence.
- There was a streak of cruelty in the way he spoke to her.
- She could not forgive the cruelty of the decision.
Common Mispronunciations of Cruelty
Not kroo-EL-tee
Nothing is stressed on the second part. The whole word leans on its opening, and the ue glides straight into the l.
Not KROO-uhl-i-tee
An extra syllable creeps in from the spelling of similar words like quality. Cruelty has no i in it and no fourth syllable.
Tip: Say cruel as one quick beat, then add tee: KROOL-tee.
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