A cruel person is someone who enjoys causing pain and suffering to others. There are many synonyms to describe such a person, including sadist, monster, fiend, tyrant, brute, oppressor, bully, tormentor, and despot. Each of these words conveys a slightly different shade of meaning, but all suggest the same basic idea: that the person in question has a callous disregard for others and takes pleasure in their suffering. Whether they are exerting their power over others through physical violence or emotional manipulation, cruel people are a blight upon society, and it is important to recognize and oppose their toxic behavior.