Synonyms of ruthless

ruthless

adjective

ˈrüth-ləs 

as in merciless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• merciless
• stony
• hard
• pitiless
• brutal
• abusive
• oppressive
• callous
• heartless
• remorseless
• harsh
• cruel
• stern
• malicious
• vicious
• hateful
• tough
• compassionless
• inhuman
• unmerciful
• soulless
• inhumane
• hard-hearted
• take-no-prisoners
• unfeeling
• insensitive
• obdurate
• grim
• cold-blooded
• unsympathetic
• unsparing
• slash-and-burn
• uncharitable
• thick-skinned
• insensate
• affectless
• indurate
• savage
• severe
• hard-boiled
• pachydermatous
• desensitized
• case-hardened
• uncaring
• thoughtless
• mean
• ironhearted
• rough
• boorish
• unthinking
• unfriendly
• inconsiderate
• stonyhearted
• heedless
• spiteful
• malevolent
• ungentle
• unloving
• rough-and-tumble
• heavy-handed
• virulent
• ironfisted
• disagreeable
• brutish
• surly
• cold
• barbarous
• ill-tempered
• acrimonious
• jackbooted
• bestial
• hard-bitten
• sledgehammer
• ironhanded
• rancorous
• ill-natured
• evil-minded
• austere
• knock-down, drag-out
• frosty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• sensitive
• warm
• compassionate
• charitable
• humane
• merciful
• benevolent
• gentle
• kind
• kindly
• mild
• tender
• lenient
• friendly
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• indulgent
• gracious
• warmhearted
• tenderhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• loving
• tolerant
• affectionate
• good-natured
• understanding
• fond
• clement
• good-tempered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ruthless

Meanwhile, third wife Iya Femi (Bimbo Ademoye) is the most cunning and ruthless in trying to defend her position within the household, playing up to Iya Segi’s schemes as her most willing conspirator. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

From here, Clementine becomes two distinct characters, both the girl Ridgeway met in real life (and will meet again in the local town) and prey for the ruthless Tom Ripley in Highsmith’s developing fiction. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

Arsenal created more than enough to help themselves to a bunch of goals in Naples, only to get stuck in anti-ruthless mode. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Authorities raided the building and found the entrance to a tunnel controlled by the ruthless Jalisco New Generation Cartel. — Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026