Cruelty vs. Pity — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Cruelty and Pity
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Definitions
Cruelty
Cruelty is pleasure in inflicting suffering or inaction towards another's suffering when a clear remedy is readily available. Sadism can also be related to this form of action or concept.
Pity
Pity is a sympathetic sorrow evoked by the suffering of others, and is used in a comparable sense to compassion, condolence or empathy - the word deriving from the Latin pietās (etymon also of piety). Self-pity is pity directed towards oneself.
Cruelty
The quality or condition of being cruel.
Pity
Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another.
Cruelty
Something, such as a cruel act or remark, that causes pain or suffering.
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Pity
A matter of regret
It's a pity she can't attend the reception.
Cruelty
(Law) The intentional infliction of physical or mental distress, especially when considered as a basis for granting a divorce.
Pity
To feel pity for or on account of
"No, he could not believe it a bad house.
Not such a house as a man was to be pitied for having" (Jane Austen). "An office worker pitied his confinement and slipped in to give him a loaf of bread" (Eric Scigliano).
Cruelty
(uncountable) An indifference to suffering or pleasure in inflicting suffering.
Pity
To feel pity.
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Cruelty
(countable) A cruel act.
Pity
(uncountable) A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
I can't feel any pity towards the gang, who got injured while attempting to break into a flat.
Take pity on someone
Cruelty
The attribute or quality of being cruel; a disposition to give unnecessary pain or suffering to others; inhumanity; barbarity.
Pierced through the heart with your stern cruelty.
Pity
(countable) Something regrettable.
It's a pity you're feeling unwell because there's a party on tonight.
What a pity about the band breaking up. I loved them!
Cruelty
A cruel and barbarous deed; inhuman treatment; the act of willfully causing unnecessary pain.
Cruelties worthy of the dungeons of the Inquisition.
Pity
(obsolete) Piety.
Cruelty
A cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
Pity
(transitive) To feel pity for (someone or something).
You have got to pity the guy - he lost his wife, mother and job in the same month.
Cruelty
Feelings of extreme heartlessness
Pity
To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.
Cruelty
The quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
Pity
Short form of what a pity.
Pity
Piety.
Pity
A feeling for the sufferings or distresses of another or others; sympathy with the grief or misery of another; compassion; fellow-feeling; commiseration.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord.
He . . . has no more pity in him than a dog.
Pity
A reason or cause of pity, grief, or regret; a thing to be regretted.
What pity is itThat we can die but once to serve our country!
Pity
To feel pity or compassion for; to have sympathy with; to compassionate; to commiserate; to have tender feelings toward (any one), awakened by a knowledge of suffering.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Pity
To move to pity; - used impersonally.
It pitieth them to see her in the dust.
Pity
To be compassionate; to show pity.
I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy.
Pity
A feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others;
The blind are too often objects of pity
Pity
An unfortunate development;
It's a pity he couldn't do it
Pity
The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
Pity
Share the suffering of
