プログレッシブ和英中辞典(第4版)の解説
こく【酷】
酷な 〔無情な〕cruel；〔苛酷な〕harsh, severe；〔厳しい〕strict
酷な人
a severe [cruel] person
酷な批評
harsh [scathing] criticism
今すぐ借金を返せというのはいささか酷だ
It's a bit cruel to demand (of him) immediate payment of his debts.
彼はずいぶん人を酷に扱う
He treats people harshly [cruelly].／He is harsh [rough] on people.
酷な言い方だが彼女は自分の無能を悟るべきだ
「This is a blunt way to put it, but [To put it bluntly,] she ought to realize her own lack of ability.