Synonyms of ruthless

ruthless

adjective

ˈrüth-ləs 

as in merciless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• merciless
• hard
• pitiless
• stony
• oppressive
• brutal
• abusive
• callous
• heartless
• remorseless
• harsh
• cruel
• malicious
• hateful
• vicious
• tough
• compassionless
• inhuman
• unmerciful
• soulless
• inhumane
• hard-hearted
• stern
• take-no-prisoners
• unfeeling
• insensitive
• obdurate
• cold-blooded
• unsympathetic
• unsparing
• slash-and-burn
• uncharitable
• thick-skinned
• grim
• insensate
• savage
• severe
• case-hardened
• affectless
• indurate
• hard-boiled
• pachydermatous
• stoney
• desensitized
• mean
• uncaring
• thoughtless
• ironhearted
• rough
• boorish
• unthinking
• unfriendly
• inconsiderate
• stonyhearted
• heedless
• spiteful
• malevolent
• ungentle
• unloving
• rough-and-tumble
• heavy-handed
• virulent
• ironfisted
• disagreeable
• brutish
• surly
• cold
• barbarous
• ill-tempered
• acrimonious
• jackbooted
• bestial
• hard-bitten
• sledgehammer
• rancorous
• ironhanded
• ill-natured
• evil-minded
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• austere
• knock-down, drag-out
• frosty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• sensitive
• warm
• compassionate
• charitable
• humane
• merciful
• benevolent
• gentle
• kind
• kindly
• mild
• tender
• lenient
• friendly
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• indulgent
• gracious
• warmhearted
• tenderhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• loving
• tolerant
• affectionate
• good-natured
• understanding
• fond
• clement
• good-tempered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ruthless

The movie brings back Hemsworth’s Rake, who is tasked with a new mission — rescuing the battered family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from the prison where they are being held. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025

But his ruthless approach arguably addresses many challenges identified in the WRITER survey: lack of strategy and investment, misalignment between IT and business, and the failure to engage champions who can unlock AI’s benefits. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025

The viral jeans spot is a ruthless napalm-grade cash cannon — every click fires fresh royalty checks at her $40 million pile. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025

And, if hate doesn't come from inside the show itself, Black women are forced to endure online hate from ruthless fans. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

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