ruthless

adjective

ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs 

also ˈru̇th-

: having no pity : merciless, cruel

a ruthless tyrant

ruthlessly adverb

ruthlessness noun

Did you know?

If someone can be ruthless, can one also be ruthful?

Ruthless can be defined as "without ruth" or "having no ruth." So what, then, is ruth? The noun ruth, which is now considerably less common than ruthless, means "compassion for the misery of another," "sorrow for one's own faults," or "remorse." And, just as it is possible for one to be without ruth, it is also possible to be full of ruth. The antonym of ruthless is ruthful, meaning "full of ruth" or "tender." Ruthful can also mean "full of sorrow" or "causing sorrow." Ruth can be traced back to the Middle English noun ruthe, itself from ruen, meaning "to rue" or "to feel regret, remorse, or sorrow."

Synonyms of ruthless

• merciless
• stony

Examples of ruthless in a Sentence

The journalist was ruthless in his criticism.

an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

Future Housewives is set in the decadent asteroid colony of New Beverly Hills, where wealthy socialites juggle bioengineered beauty regimens, ruthless rivalries and interplanetary scandals. — Peter White, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Staring down an assembly of the outraged, Digger spells out the ruthless logic of global capitalism and claims the world’s fuel dependency as the ultimate vindication. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Audiences will no doubt see broad echoes of what could have been in Ali’s passionate and often ruthless Latif. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

When his inquiry leads directly to a ruthless corporate chairman played by Tony Leung Ka-fai, the two seasoned operators become locked in a battle of wits. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rewthles, routheeles, from rewthe, routhe "pity, ruth" + -les -less

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ruthless

• toothless

Kids Definition

ruthless

adjective

ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs 

: having no pity : merciless, cruel

ruthlessly adverb

ruthlessness noun