pitiless

adjective

piti·​less ˈpi-ti-ləs How to pronounce pitiless (audio)
Synonyms of pitilessnext
: devoid of pity : harsh, cruel
pitilessly adverb
pitilessness noun

Examples of pitiless in a Sentence

The soldiers were pitiless toward their enemy. gave the beggar in the street a pitiless look and kept on walking
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Facing Russia’s pitiless attacks in Ukraine and a White House seemingly hungry for quick, rather than just, peace, Europe’s lifeboat for Ukraine – one clawed back from the jaws of division and delay – promises an emboldened friend to Kyiv in the uncertain months ahead. Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025 Rather than confronting Scrooge with things beyond his human comprehension — immutable calm, boundless generosity, pitiless void — all three spirits simply end up castigating him. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 The margin of error, even on the outside of the CFL, UFL and NFL, is pitiless. Dan Robson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025 The film’s only real villain is Al Pacino, doing a Colonel Sanders accent as Richard’s father M.L. Hall, whose pitiless rigidity stands in for capitalism as a whole. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitiless

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pitiless was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pitiless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitiless. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

pitiless

adjective
piti·​less ˈpit-i-ləs How to pronounce pitiless (audio)
ˈpit-ᵊl-əs
: having no pity : harsh, cruel
pitilessly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pitiless

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