ruthless

adjective

ruth·less ˈrüth-ləs

also ˈru̇th-

Synonyms of ruthless next

: having no pity : merciless, cruel

a ruthless tyrant

ruthlessly adverb

ruthlessness noun

Did you know?

If someone can be ruthless, can one also be ruthful?

Ruthless can be defined as "without ruth" or "having no ruth." So what, then, is ruth? The noun ruth, which is now considerably less common than ruthless, means "compassion for the misery of another," "sorrow for one's own faults," or "remorse." And, just as it is possible for one to be without ruth, it is also possible to be full of ruth. The antonym of ruthless is ruthful, meaning "full of ruth" or "tender." Ruthful can also mean "full of sorrow" or "causing sorrow." Ruth can be traced back to the Middle English noun ruthe, itself from ruen, meaning "to rue" or "to feel regret, remorse, or sorrow."

Examples of ruthless in a Sentence

The journalist was ruthless in his criticism. an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

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The techno is deafening, but Walker, who went on these trips herself before starting her career as a cinematographer, dances us through the chaos with ruthless resolve. —

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Paramount+ In Star Trek lore, Klingons are rugged, ruthless warriors. —

Carlos Mejia, PCMAG, 3 Dec. 2024 Fueled by jealousy and betrayal, Arsenio and Luciano conspire in a ruthless plot to crush him. —

Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 2 Dec. 2024 Rather than just a simple miser, this movie portrays Scrooge as more of a ruthless businessman who believes he’s justified in his actions, making the character more relatable and redemptive. —

Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruthless