relentless

adjective

re·​lent·​less ri-ˈlent-ləs 

: showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength, or pace : unrelenting

relentless pressure

a relentless campaign

relentlessly adverb

relentlessness noun

Synonyms of relentless

• grim
• determined
• persistent
• unrelenting
• ruthless

Examples of relentless in a Sentence

Her relentless optimism held the team together.

The hunter was relentless in pursuit of his prey.

a relentless opponent of deregulation

Recent Examples on the Web

But his effort is the real X-factor, as Pierre’s relentless approach to every rep can be difficult for offensive linemen to endure over the course of a game. — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The longest track on the album at more than eight minutes, it’s built around a relentless two-note bass line and dangerously cowbell-adjacent percussion and features a whirlwind of samples and sweetly noisy meltdowns. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026

Matthew Robert Cooper’s unnerving ambient score bleeds into the relentless dink-dink-dink of the Jeep’s strobing hazard lights. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Broadway, with its relentless pace and throw-you-into-the-deep-end approach to rehearsal, provided a similar challenge. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

relentless

adjective

re·​lent·​less ri-ˈlent-ləs 

: not lessening in severity, intensity, strength, or pace : unrelenting

relentless criticism

relentlessly adverb

relentlessness noun