unmerciful

[ uhn-mur-si-fuhl ]

adjective

1. merciless; relentless; severe; cruel; pitiless.
2. unsparingly great, extreme, or excessive, as amounts:

   to talk for an unmerciful length of time.

unmerciful

/ ʌnˈmɜːsɪfʊl /

adjective

1. showing no mercy; relentless
2. extreme or excessive

Derived Forms

• unˈmercifulness, noun
• unˈmercifully, adverb

Other Words From

• un·merci·ful·ly adverb
• un·merci·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unmerciful¹

First recorded in 1475–85; un- ¹ + merciful

Example Sentences

In March, Manchin told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph that the 4th Circuit “has been unmerciful on allowing any progress” by Mountain Valley Pipeline.

From ProPublica

His master may be a man of some conscientious scruples; ours may be unmerciful.

From Project Gutenberg

Chaucer refers us to Aleyn's description on account of its unmerciful length; it was hopeless to attempt even an epitome of it.

From Project Gutenberg

One characteristic mark of a heathen is, that he is "without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful."

From Project Gutenberg

No sooner had the hated word been uttered, than his companions assailed him in a most unmerciful manner.

From Project Gutenberg

His denial was unavailing, and by the enraged teacher he was beaten in a most unjust and unmerciful manner.

From Project Gutenberg