as in mercilessly
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 ruthlessly
In his absence, Maduro has been replaced by his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, now acting president, who has ruthlessly transformed her country’s geopolitical outlook.
—
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Republicans understand this gap and are exploiting it ruthlessly.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Investigators believe the husband ruthlessly exploited his wife on a large scale, prosecutor Ida Annerstedt said.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Across almost two decades of ownership under Roman Abramovich, the club ruthlessly chewed through many of the world’s most famous and successful coaches, banking a steady flow of trophies and pressing the ‘eject’ button at the first sign of failure.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
This is a book that treats its characters and incidents seriously and—at its best—ruthlessly.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Indy is also up against a formidable adversary in Detective Inspector Jon Creasy (Parkes), who is determined to get to the truth, despite efforts by his colleague Eddie (Gillen), who is ruthlessly intent on clearing his son’s name.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Nina has no mentor to look up to; Beth, the former prima ballerina played by Winona Ryder, has been ruthlessly excised from the company for being too old.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Republicans understand this gap and are exploiting it ruthlessly.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Investigators believe the husband ruthlessly exploited his wife on a large scale, prosecutor Ida Annerstedt said.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Across almost two decades of ownership under Roman Abramovich, the club ruthlessly chewed through many of the world’s most famous and successful coaches, banking a steady flow of trophies and pressing the ‘eject’ button at the first sign of failure.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
This is a book that treats its characters and incidents seriously and—at its best—ruthlessly.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Indy is also up against a formidable adversary in Detective Inspector Jon Creasy (Parkes), who is determined to get to the truth, despite efforts by his colleague Eddie (Gillen), who is ruthlessly intent on clearing his son’s name.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Nina has no mentor to look up to; Beth, the former prima ballerina played by Winona Ryder, has been ruthlessly excised from the company for being too old.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthlessly
Adverb
-
Madrid are actually owned by 80,000 members who demand the highest standards — and are surrounded by a voracious local media who mercilessly criticise anyone who even temporarily falls short.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Deer, meanwhile, were hunted mercilessly.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
12 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The first hour, set at a resort that’s like a singles cruise through the Twilight Zone (or Bachelor in Paradise beamed in from a brutal alternate universe), contains some of the most pitilessly funny scenes of the filmmaker’s career.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
In the process, Joel heartlessly killed some innocent people, including medical professionals.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
There is a troubling suggestion of abuse, implying that Jack might have been ill-treated by his mom (and saved by Helen), rather than heartlessly abandoned.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Now my son is dead after suffering unmercifully.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Marley’s level of fame and influence meant that, after his death at 36, his legacy, his spirit, his brand was to be shaped by a record industry that could be callously indifferent to truth or quality at the expense of revenue.—
Eric Harvey,
Pitchfork,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Some industry representatives ahead of the meeting expressed worry that attending risked casting them as willing participants in a callously opportunistic grab for Venezuela’s crude, people familiar with the matter said.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Kahlo vibrantly and unsparingly depicted herself and events from her life, which was upended by a bus accident at 18.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Nov. 2025
-
Kahlo vibrantly and unsparingly depicted herself and events from her life, which was upended by a bus accident at 18.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Fortune,
24 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Last month, security forces brutally suppressed nationwide protests, killing thousands and arresting many more in the deadliest suppression of demonstrations in the history of the Islamic Republic.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Surveillance footage shown at the trial depicted Santos brutally beating the sleeping victims with a large metal bar over the course of half an hour.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The oversight tour came after activists alleged detainees were being treated inhumanely at the facility.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruthlessly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthlessly. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
