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.

He says Scotland can be ruthless but need to be more ruthless, more often.

From BBC

In 2010, she was a finalist for the National Book Award for “So Much for That,” an empathetic account of a married couple facing terminal illness within a ruthless American health-care system.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is a ruthless, complete player, lethal from both sides of the baseline, able to scramble, extend points and hit drop shots when he needs to.

From The Wall Street Journal

Zverev played at a high level, but was not ruthless enough when it mattered.

From BBC

He grabbed a 3-0 lead in less than 20 minutes on his way to a ruthless win, sealing it with his fifth ace.

From Barron's

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