酷(ひど)い

cruel; terrible; severe

残酷(ざんこく)

cruel; brutal

酷使(こくし)

overuse; work someone too hard

酷評(こくひょう)

harsh criticism; unfavorable review

酷暑(こくしょ)

severe heat; intense summer heat

酷(ひど)く

extremely; severely

酷(ひど)すぎる

to be too severe; to be awful

酷(こく)な

harsh; cruel

今年(ことし)の酷暑(こくしょ)で、外(そと)で働(はたら)くのは大変(たいへん)だった。

Because of this year's intense heat, working outside was difficult.

彼(かれ)の言(い)い方(かた)は酷(ひど)い。

His way of speaking is harsh.