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

Some are heartless and move a team to make up for their failures as owners. — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

For more than a century, people have wondered whether Hyde was the innocent victim of an amazing set of coincidences or a heartless killer who never paid for his crimes. — Dan Kelly august 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

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

In contrast, Dessalines is typically described as violent, unthinking, emotional and heartless. — Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 June 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