merciless

adjective

mer·​ci·​less ˈmər-si-ləs How to pronounce merciless (audio)
: having or showing no mercy : pitiless
the merciless killing of innocent people
mercilessly adverb
mercilessness noun

Examples of merciless in a Sentence

the merciless killing of innocent people He has been merciless in his criticism of his opponent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By enumerating the many merciless changes in our government since January, the Rev. Michael Pleger is not making a political pitch. Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 Waltz lends a slimy charisma to the merciless SS colonel, who gets a satisfying comeuppance via carving knife. 4. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 At the instructions of Donald Trump, the United States government embarrassed all Americans yesterday at the United Nations by siding with Russia on the third anniversary of the Kremlin’s merciless invasion of Ukraine, the worst fighting in Europe since World War II ended in 1945. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025 This seeming ideological steadfastness may help explain the merciless march of Kaczynski and his party through Polish institutions between 2015 and 2023. Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for merciless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merciless was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Merciless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merciless. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

merciless

adjective
mer·​ci·​less ˈmər-si-ləs How to pronounce merciless (audio)
: having no mercy : pitiless
merciless slaughter
mercilessly adverb
mercilessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on merciless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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