Synonyms

ruthless

American

[rooth-lis] / ˈruθ lɪs /

adjective

without pity or compassion; cruel; merciless.

a ruthless tyrant.

Synonyms:

relentless, adamant, unrelenting

ruthless British

/ ˈruːθlɪs /

adjective

feeling or showing no mercy; hardhearted

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See cruel.

Other Word Forms

ruthlessly adverb
ruthlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of ruthless

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Arsenal's ruthless display served as a significant statement of intent in a tense title race.

From Barron's

On the field, a side has emerged that is durable, balanced and increasingly ruthless.

From BBC

A computer, however, might be ruthless about the chances of Cinderella and underdogs—just check out the Sagarin page, which now has Tulane soaking outside the Top 50.

From The Wall Street Journal

Or was it a ruthless, strategic move to strive for long-term success from an ambitious club who are not afraid to break the norm?

From BBC

The Bazball ideology has been exposed by Australia's hard-nosed, ruthless and relentless Test cricket.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023