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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ruthless
Their little brother Dante is an irresponsible party boy, tangled up with a ruthless local gang.
—
Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
In the same jungle, centuries earlier, a group of Spanish conquerors falls to that same ruthless force.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
But many have come to fear and respect Grant Nakamura, the most ruthless parking enforcement officer in the city.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The lack of a clinical edge cost them dear before Ousmane Dembele punished some slack defensive work from Alexis Mac Allister with a ruthless finish 18 minutes from time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
In the same jungle, centuries earlier, a group of Spanish conquerors falls to that same ruthless force.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
But many have come to fear and respect Grant Nakamura, the most ruthless parking enforcement officer in the city.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The lack of a clinical edge cost them dear before Ousmane Dembele punished some slack defensive work from Alexis Mac Allister with a ruthless finish 18 minutes from time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthless
Adjective
-
This commentary was not from a wonkish TikToker nor a network pundit but from TMZ, the merciless purveyor of celebrity dirt, which published the images of Graham after a citizen vacationer noticed the senator flitting through the theme park and sent pictures.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a vast stony tract of desert a three-hour drive south of Cairo, tucked between jagged black mountains and the glittering Gulf of Suez, a group of Chinese engineers is quietly rewiring Egypt’s energy strategy.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Hikers can traverse the stony beds of Cliffy Creek and snap photos of the park's four iconic waterfalls.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthless. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
