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
• hard
• pitiless
• stony
• oppressive
• brutal
• abusive
• callous
• heartless
• remorseless
• harsh
• cruel
• malicious
• hateful
• vicious
• tough
• compassionless
• inhuman
• unmerciful
• soulless
• inhumane
• hard-hearted
• stern
• take-no-prisoners
• unfeeling
• insensitive
• obdurate
• cold-blooded
• unsympathetic
• unsparing
• slash-and-burn
• uncharitable
• thick-skinned
• grim
• insensate
• savage
• severe
• case-hardened
• affectless
• indurate
• hard-boiled
• pachydermatous
• stoney
• desensitized
• mean
• uncaring
• thoughtless
• 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
• rancorous
• ironhanded
• ill-natured
• evil-minded
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• 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 2022 bare-knuckle holiday sensation Violent Night followed an embittered Santa, armed with lethal combat skills, who takes out a team of ruthless mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

The ruthless killing has shocked the nation and fueled further criticism of blue-city policies that critics argue are soft on crime. —Michael Dorgan , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025

This ruthless cartel is intent on cashing in, permeating our communities with their poison, with no regard to human suffering. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025

Soon, you’re forced to become an even more ruthless killing machine by delivering multiple A-grade performances, before your arm’s twisted behind your back to deliver a solitary S-grade. —Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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