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
As a member of a crew that robs banks, Mr. Blonde is the most ruthless.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Aidan Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 July 2025
President Donald Trump has mounted a ruthless onslaught on the checks and balances established in the Constitution.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025
As Johansson plays her, Zora is pleasingly smart and ruthless, eager to get the best deal for herself.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Aidan Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 July 2025
President Donald Trump has mounted a ruthless onslaught on the checks and balances established in the Constitution.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025
As Johansson plays her, Zora is pleasingly smart and ruthless, eager to get the best deal for herself.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthless
merciless
Adjective
-
Frank Trapper / Contributor/Corbis Entertainment Lydia is a high-ranking and merciless executive at Madrigal Electromotive who helps supply Walt's meth operation.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
While Charlie Brown played things safe, Snoopy lived an exuberant life in his imagination, casting himself as a frustrated novelist, gleeful dancer, merciless attorney and even a prolific flying ace in a World War I Sopwith Camel.—
Chris Carra,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthless. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share