anti-cruelty

adjective

an·​ti-cru·​el·​ty ˌan-tē-ˈkrü(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce anti-cruelty (audio) ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-cruelty (audio)
Synonyms of anti-crueltynext
: opposing, prohibiting, or punishing cruelty and especially the cruel treatment of animals
anti-cruelty legislation against dog fighting

Examples of anti-cruelty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The key legal requirement is that any removal must be done humanely, in compliance with anti-cruelty law. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026 He was ultimately convicted under the state's anti-cruelty law. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 24 July 2025 Nile monitors are not native to Florida and are not protected in the state except by anti-cruelty law, per the FWC. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026 Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work. — Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anti-cruelty

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-cruelty was in 1843

Browse Nearby Words

anticrotalic
anti-cruelty
anticryptic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anti-cruelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-cruelty. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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