How to Pronounce Cruel

To pronounce "cruel", say CRUEL — one syllable, IPA /kɹuː(ə)l/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

cruel

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Accent

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

/kɹuː(ə)l/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “cruel”

"cruel" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with cool and unusual, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: crewel, kreul — easy to mix up when writing.

What does cruel mean?

verb

  1. To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)
  2. To violently provoke (a child) in the belief that this will make them more assertive.

adjective

  1. Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.

    “The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.”

  2. Harsh; severe.

adverb

  1. To a great degree; terribly.

Synonyms

brutalsadistic

Antonyms

merciful

Words that rhyme with cruel

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

coolunusualvestibuletoolridiculefoolruleminusculejewelpooldualschool

Related words

inhumaneunkindheartlessbarbarousharshbrutalvicioushard

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "cruel"?▾

"Cruel" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "cruel"?▾

The IPA transcription of "cruel" is /kɹuː(ə)l/.

What does "cruel" mean?▾

Cruel: To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)

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