Cruel vs. Ruthless: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
Cruel implies causing pain or suffering intentionally, while ruthless suggests a lack of compassion or pity in pursuing one's goals.
Key Differences
When one describes an act or person as cruel, the focus is often on the intentional infliction of pain, harm, or suffering. Cruelty can be physical, emotional, or mental, and it emphasizes a deliberate desire to cause distress. For instance, someone who teases another relentlessly, exploiting their insecurities, is being cruel. On the other hand, ruthlessness is more about the absence of compassion or mercy, especially when pursuing an objective. A ruthless person may not actively seek to harm others, but they won't hesitate to do so if it benefits their goals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Ruthless, as a term, denotes a single-minded pursuit of an objective, even at the expense of others. It doesn't necessarily mean that the person enjoys causing harm, but rather that they are willing to do whatever it takes. In business, for instance, a CEO might make decisions that result in job losses; they might be described as ruthless if they make such decisions without apparent regard for the affected employees.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Contrastingly, cruelty often has a more personal, visceral element to it. The cruel individual might derive pleasure or satisfaction from the suffering of others, making their actions not just about achieving a goal but also about the act of causing pain itself. A bully who enjoys seeing their victim cry is an embodiment of cruelty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
In essence, while there are overlaps in the two terms, and one can be both cruel and ruthless, they focus on different aspects of behavior. Cruelty underscores the act of causing pain, often with pleasure, while ruthlessness emphasizes an unwavering pursuit of goals without compassion.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Comparison Chart
Primary Emphasis
Intentional infliction of pain
Absence of compassion or mercy
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
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Cruel and Ruthless Definitions
Cruel
Indicative of a desire to cause pain or distress.
The child's cruel prank scared his younger sister.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
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Ruthless
Showing no compassion or pity.
He was ruthless in his ambition to take over the company.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Cruel
Unrelenting or severe in nature.
The cruel winter made their journey treacherous.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Ruthless
Unyielding in pursuit of one's goals.
Her ruthless determination made her a top athlete.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Ruthless
Without moral restraint in achieving aims.
The ruler's ruthless tactics subdued any opposition.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
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Cruel
Causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or distress
Cruel treatment.
A cruel remark.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ruthless
Harsh or relentless.
The ruthless landscape of the desert challenged the explorers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Cruel
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ruthless
Indifferent to the suffering caused while pursuing objectives.
The general's ruthless strategy resulted in many casualties.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Ruthless
Having no compassion or pity; merciless
Ruthless cruelty.
Ruthless opportunism.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ruthless
Having no ruth; cruel; pitiless.
Their rage the hostile bands restrain,All but the ruthless monarch of the main.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Ruthless
Without mercy or pity;
An act of ruthless ferocity
A monster of remorseless cruelty
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
To violently provoke (a child) in the belief that this will make them more assertive.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
Disposed to give pain to others; willing or pleased to hurt, torment, or afflict; destitute of sympathetic kindness and pity; savage; inhuman; hard-hearted; merciless.
Behold a people cometh from the north country; . . . they are cruel and have no mercy.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
Causing, or fitted to cause, pain, grief, or misery.
Cruel wars, wasting the earth.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath for it was cruel.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
Attended with cruetly; painful; harsh.
You have seen cruel proof of this man's strength.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering;
A barbarous crime
Brutal beatings
Cruel tortures
Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks
A savage slap
Vicious kicks
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
(of weapons or instruments) causing suffering and pain;
Brutal instruments of torture
Cruel weapons of war
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
Used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause suffering;
Brutal weather
Northern winters can be cruel
A cruel world
A harsh climate
A rigorous climate
Unkind winters
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 11, 2022
Cruel
Deliberately causing pain or distress to others.
The cruel taunts of his classmates left him in tears.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Cruel
Enjoying the suffering of others.
It's cruel to laugh at someone's misfortunes.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Cruel
Lacking compassion or humanity.
The dictator's cruel reign lasted for decades.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
FAQs
Is cruelty always physical?
No, cruelty can be emotional, mental, or physical.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Can someone be both cruel and ruthless?
Yes, one can be intentionally harmful (cruel) and also show no mercy in their actions (ruthless).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
What does cruel mean?
Cruel implies intentionally causing pain or suffering to others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
How does ruthless differ from cruel?
Ruthless suggests a lack of compassion or pity, especially when pursuing objectives.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Which term has a more personal connotation?
Cruel often has a more personal connotation, implying a desire to see another suffer.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
Can businesses be described as ruthless?
Yes, businesses or their strategies can be described as ruthless if they prioritize goals over compassion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
How might one describe a ruthless competitor?
Someone who will do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the consequences to others.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Does being ruthless mean lacking emotion?
Not necessarily, but it does imply a lack of compassion or mercy.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Does a ruthless person always want to harm others?
Not necessarily; they may harm others as a byproduct of pursuing their goals without compassion.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is cruelty always intentional?
While cruelty often implies intention, it's possible to cause harm without the conscious intent to be cruel.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
What emotions are associated with cruelty?
Malice, sadism, and enjoyment from seeing others suffer.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Can an act be unintentionally cruel?
Yes, one can cause pain or harm without intending to be cruel.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Is there a redeeming quality to ruthlessness?
Some argue that in certain environments, ruthlessness can lead to efficiency or success.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
What's the opposite of ruthless?
Compassionate or merciful can be considered opposites.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Can ruthlessness be a positive trait?
In some contexts, like competitive business environments, ruthlessness might be viewed as a strength.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Are there any situations where being cruel is justified?
Ethical stances vary, but many believe that cruelty is rarely, if ever, justified.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
How is cruelty perceived in society?
Generally, cruelty is negatively perceived as it involves causing intentional harm.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Why might someone be described as cruel in a personal setting?
They might be inflicting emotional, mental, or physical pain on others intentionally.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
How can cruelty manifest in everyday situations?
Through mocking, belittling, or intentionally causing distress in interpersonal interactions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
