RUTHLESSNESS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

ruthlessness

noun

Definition of ruthlessness

as in mercilessness

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 ruthlessness Something in the liberal heart recoils in the face of righteous ruthlessness. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 The series follows a fictionalized version of the Westies, a small Irish-American gang in the mid- to late-20th century whose ruthlessness and brutality gave them an outsized reputation. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Released at the tail end of Reaganomics, Carpenter’s most politically forward thriller now feels like a decoder ring for ’80s-era greed, detachment, complacency and ruthlessness. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Vegas is not a sentimental franchise, and Golden Knights fans, in their short time, have grown callused to the ruthlessness that comes with going for it every single year. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 June 2026 The new manager was quick to promise change, ruthlessness and sacrifice in helping turn the club around. — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 23 May 2026 Cruelty and ruthlessness are deemed just, not only in the highest echelons of politics but also trickling down to daily life. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 Advertisement Mallory’s ruthlessness in the custody fight begins to alarm wishy-washy Karl. — Judy Berman, Time, 20 May 2026 But it can also be felt beyond it, in the political culture of this country — one in which ruthlessness and fraudulent fear-mongering can outperform decency and truth in the fight for power. — Shaan Merchant, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthlessness

Noun

And though Din Djarian has a touch of revenge-thriller mercilessness about him, that’s more than offset by the fact that his apprentice and symbolic son is Grogu, an infant member of the same humanoid-alien species as Yoda.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2026

Definition of mercilessness

Noun

Gail Giustino, 77, was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, including animal cruelty and confining an animal without sufficient food or water, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek shared in a press conference on Monday, July 20.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
The animal-cruelty fight is part of a broader pretrial battle over how jurors will see the couple’s volatile relationship.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of cruelty

Noun

This savagery can last up to a week before the mature larvae fall to the ground.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
While our money would be on The Last Son of Krypton in a main card matchup, Lobo fights dirty with a level of primal savagery that just might put the Big Blue Boy Scout and his cousin down for a few rounds.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 June 2026

Definition of savagery

Noun

These young graduates start out naive about the heartlessness of the corporate world and harbor illusory hopes for success in unforgiving professions.

— George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
The lives of the two children in the story, aged fourteen and four, are portrayed as being as fleeting as the fireflies, and the story is an unsentimental and unflinching account with moments of both tenderness and heartlessness.

— Ginny Tapley Takemori September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

Definition of heartlessness

Noun

Chiarella takes time between bouts of danger to show affection and intimacy that, in defiance of teen-slasher formula, isn’t immediately penalized with sadism.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Here, animals serve as vessels for our worst impulses, suffering at the point where curiosity turns to sadism, domination to cruelty, and self-interest to neglect.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

Definition of sadism

Noun

Mishiali’s filmmaking does not overemphasize the brutality of this situation.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026
Not a particularly easy watch, to say the least, the complexly plotted film leans into the madness, and intense brutality experienced by the characters.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

The report comes as the RSF lays siege to El Obeid, where analysts say similar barbarity is imminent.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 July 2026
The barbarity of the institution, meanwhile, is self-evident—but rarely does an author present its abuses so powerfully and vividly.

— The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

Definition of barbarity

Browse Nearby Words

ruthlessly

ruthlessness

ruts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ruthlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthlessness. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ruthlessness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ruthlessness

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vituperate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes