# cruel vs curl

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### cruel
*adjective · IPA /ˈkɹuːəl/ · frequency rank #5,869*
Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.

### curl
*noun · IPA /kɜːl/ · frequency rank #14,502*
A curving piece or lock of hair; a ringlet.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cruel-vs-curl