heartless

adjective

heart·​less ˈhärt-ləs 

1

archaic : spiritless

2

: lacking feeling : cruel

heartlessly adverb

heartlessness noun

Synonyms of heartless

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony

Examples of heartless in a Sentence

a heartless boss who would fire people for missing work, even if they were sick as a dog

a heartless enemy that takes no prisoners

Recent Examples on the Web

As if the force itself were a heartless heart. — Literary Hub, 19 June 2026

A lot of the tellings of the story set him up as this heartless crook out to enrich himself, hurt other people, and exploit the ocean. — Abigail Wise, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026

Kane was a fan favorite heroine-villain female fictional character who may have appeared heartless on the show at times. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026

The script, by Ed Solomon, treats the Sklar siblings as cardboard grotesques—heartless, talentless, united in their loathing of a father who loathes them right back. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heartless

• artless

Kids Definition

heartless

adjective

heart·​less ˈhärt-ləs 

: pitiless, cruel

heartlessly adverb

heartlessness noun