Definitions

ruthless

[rooth-lis] / ˈruθ lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

mean, heartless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barbarous brutal callous cold-blooded cruel cutthroat ferocious fierce harsh inhuman malevolent merciless rancorous relentless sadistic savage unforgiving unrelenting unyielding vicious vindictive

WEAK

adamant cold dog-eat-dog feral grim hard hard-hearted implacable inexorable ironfisted killer mortal obdurate pitiless remorseless revengeful severe stern stony surly unappeasable unfeeling unmerciful unsympathetic without pity

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm civilized compassionate easy feeling flexible forgiving friendly gentle humane kind merciful mild nice nonviolent peaceful polite sympathetic tame tender

WEAK

considerate giving

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’s refreshingly optimistic about challenging music in streaming’s ruthless economy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026

Inevitable as Funches’ dismissal was, witnessing the quiet camaraderie blossom between him and Rausch was one of the kindest, warmest subplots of an especially ruthless season.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2026

The ruthless machinations of Gilded Age robber barons are transposed to New York’s hotels and banquet rooms—a story of love marketed to the highest bidder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

A ruthless Sweden side stuck five past Tunisia as they tore their Group F rivals apart.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

His pursuit to win a state championship became a ruthless obsession, say those who worked for him, for he knew that any-thing less would not be enough.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Vocabulary lists containing ruthless

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The Things They Carried

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