Cruel and unusual punishment


Punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. Cruel and unusual punishment includes torture, deliberately degrading punishment, or punishment that is too severe for the crime committed. This concept helps guarantee due process even to convicted criminals. Many people have argued that capital punishment should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

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  • Crueler

    [kroo-uh l] /ˈkru əl/ adjective, crueler, cruelest. 1. willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others. 2. enjoying the pain or distress of others: the cruel spectators of the gladiatorial contests. 3. causing or marked by great pain or distress: a cruel remark; a cruel affliction. 4. rigid; stern; strict; unrelentingly severe. /ˈkruːəl/ adjective […]

  • Cruelest

    [kroo-uh l] /ˈkru əl/ adjective, crueler, cruelest. 1. willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others. 2. enjoying the pain or distress of others: the cruel spectators of the gladiatorial contests. 3. causing or marked by great pain or distress: a cruel remark; a cruel affliction. 4. rigid; stern; strict; unrelentingly severe. /ˈkruːəl/ adjective […]

  • Cruelhearted

    [kroo-uh l-hahr-tid] /ˈkru əlˈhɑr tɪd/ adjective 1. having a heart; lacking kindness, compassion, etc.

  • Cruel-hearted

    [kroo-uh l-hahr-tid] /ˈkru əlˈhɑr tɪd/ adjective 1. having a heart; lacking kindness, compassion, etc.

  • Cruelly

    [kroo-uh l] /ˈkru əl/ adjective, crueler, cruelest. 1. willfully or knowingly causing pain or distress to others. 2. enjoying the pain or distress of others: the cruel spectators of the gladiatorial contests. 3. causing or marked by great pain or distress: a cruel remark; a cruel affliction. 4. rigid; stern; strict; unrelentingly severe. /ˈkruːəl/ adjective […]


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