"冷酷"的英语说法是"cruel"，来源于拉丁语的"crudelis"，意思是"残忍的"。例如：

He is a cruel man, who enjoys making others suffer. 他是一个冷酷的人，喜欢使别人遭受痛苦。

The dictator was known for his cruel policies towards political dissidents. 这位独裁者以对政治异见者的冷酷政策而闻名。

She was shocked by the cruel fate that had befallen her family. 她对家人遭遇的冷酷命运感到震惊。