Talk:cruel

Poor definition

I think we could improve def 1. "Not nice" is a bit of a milquetoasty way to define "cruel"; and "mean" has other meanings, like "stingy"; in this sense I seem to hear an American child saying "you're so mean!". Cruelty is more than being a bit less than nice. Chambers 1908 by comparison: "disposed to inflict pain, or pleased at suffering: void of pity, merciless, savage: severe". Equinox ◑ 21:45, 13 September 2018 (UTC)

I agree. Not only does "not nice" understate the meaning of the word, but clearly, the meaning of "cruel" is not merely "lacking in niceness." Cruelty is generally much more active. Why not adapt the Chambers definition, which seems perfectly current? Aabull2016 (talk) 20:46, 14 September 2018 (UTC)

 Done more or less. Equinox ◑ 06:08, 29 November 2018 (UTC)