ruthless

[rooth-lis]

adjective

1. without pity or compassion; cruel; merciless.

   a ruthless tyrant.

   Synonyms: relentless, adamant, unrelenting

ruthless

/ ˈruːθlɪs /

adjective

1. feeling or showing no mercy; hardhearted

Other Word Forms

• ruthlessly adverb
• ruthlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruthless¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; ruth + -less

Synonym Study

See cruel.

Example Sentences

Even the rich and powerful have been charmed by the mayoral candidate’s charisma, honesty and ruthless positivity.

Read more on Salon

For entertainment reporter Indigo Stafford, it was another sign of just how "ruthless" the Traitors can be.

Read more on BBC

England were then ruthless in the chase, cruising to their target in 29.2 overs with opener Amy Jones finishing unbeaten on 86.

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They dispatched the Milwaukee Brewers in the championship series with such ruthless efficiency that putting the two teams on the same field almost seemed like a cruel prank.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They have mowed down the Cincinnati Reds, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Brewers with ruthless efficiency.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barbarous 
• brutal 
• callous 
• cold-blooded 
• cruel 
• cutthroat 
• ferocious 
• fierce 
• harsh 
• inhuman 
• malevolent 
• merciless 
• rancorous 
• relentless 
• sadistic 
• savage 
• unforgiving 
• unrelenting 
• unyielding 
• vicious