cruelly

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   excessively

   a cruelly bitter winter

2. 2
   adv

   with cruelty

   I treated the students cruelly by giving them a surprise exam.

3. 3
   adv

   In a cruel manner.

   In the meane time it chaunced, that Marcus Papyrius ſtroke one of the Galles on the heade with his ſtaffe, because he preſumed to ſtroke his bearde: with whiche iniurie the Gaulle beeing prouoked, ſlue Papyrius (as he ſate) with hys ſworde, and therewith the ſlaughter being begun with one, all the reſidue of thoſe auncient fatherly men as they ſat in theyr Chayres were ſlaine and cruelly murthered.

Etymology

From Middle English cruelly; equivalent to cruel + -ly.