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

The tale of John McClane (Bruce Willis) saving the inhabitants of a Los Angeles skyscraper from a ruthless band of thieves has continued to entertain, inspiring multiple sequels, comic books, video games, and countless references in other media. — Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

With ruthless competitors who will stop at nothing to dethrone and destroy them, the Whitlocks are a blue-collar dynasty at the edge of extinction – and the old king is fighting to hold onto the crown. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 July 2026

The actor originated the role of the charming but ruthless Craig Montgomery on the long-running soap. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

But is Posey — the man who built this mess — cunning and ruthless enough to clean it up? — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

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