CRUEL OR INHUMANE TREATMENT is a term used to describe any kind of behavior that causes physical or emotional harm to another person. The two crossword solutions MEAN and OGRE are both words used to describe someone who is cruel or inhumane in their treatment of others. MEAN is an adjective that describes someone who is unkind, selfish, or spiteful, while OGRE is a mythical creature often used as a metaphor for someone who is cruel and intimidating.