pitiless

American  

[pit-i-lis, pit-ee-] / ˈpɪt ɪ lɪs, ˈpɪt i- /

adjective

1. feeling or showing no pity; merciless.

   pitiless criticism of his last novel.

   Synonyms:

   implacable, unmerciful, relentless

   Antonyms:

   merciful

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pitiless British  

/ ˈpɪtɪlɪs /

adjective

1. having or showing little or no pity or mercy

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Related Words

See cruel.

Other Word Forms

• pitilessly adverb
• pitilessness noun

Etymology

Origin of pitiless

First recorded in 1375–1425, pitiless is from the late Middle English word piteles. See pity, -less

Explanation

Pitiless means "without mercy" or "cruel." Movie critics are often described as pitiless, because if they hate a film, they don't hold back or consider the feelings of the people who poured their hearts into making it. The root word of the adjective pitiless is pity. If someone lacks all sympathy or tenderness, you can describe them as pitiless. People who are annoyed that they have to step out of the way of homeless people who huddle against buildings in winter are probably pitiless — they just don't care about the plights of others. How can you tell if your friends are pitiless? They seem bored or annoyed when you are upset about something.

Example Sentences

“Amongst Women” revolves around Michael Moran, a widowed farmer who rules his family with pitiless vigor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

As Ambrose Pierce wrote, “Patriotism is as fierce as a fever, pitiless and the grave, blind as a stone and irrational as a headless man.”

From Salon • May 17, 2025

After the pitiless grind of junior year, we are all determined to enjoy our family’s final days in high school.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

After this forebodingly ironic setup, “Beau Is Afraid” sends its sad-sack protagonist on an increasingly deranged journey through what is either a pitiless, reality-adjacent American landscape or his own inner terrors.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2023

His name was Piliso, a tough old fellow who had seen life at its most pitiless.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela