ruthless

adjective

ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs How to pronounce ruthless (audio)
 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."

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
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.
Wes Anderson is talking about a surreal moment that occurs early in his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, in which the protagonist, the ruthless international tycoon Zsa-Zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), experiences a vision of the afterlife. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 May 2025 The exception nearly arrives in the closing minutes during a high-stakes scene that had the potential to transform the whole film into a ruthless satire. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025 But that this most ruthless edition of Chelsea’s six successive years of WSL superiority has come under the supervision of a new head coach, Sonia Bompastor, following the end of the 12-year Emma Hayes era, is perhaps most impressive of all. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Ralph Fiennes will play the ruthless Panem dictator in director Francis Lawrence‘s forthcoming film in the franchise, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruthless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruthless was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ruthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruthless. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ruthless

adjective
ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs How to pronounce ruthless (audio)
: having no pity : merciless, cruel
ruthlessly adverb
ruthlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ruthless

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