as in mercilessness
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Recent Examples of ruthlessness
Wimps don’t survive the ruthlessness of Eastside politics as an outsider to become a congressmember at just 34.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The rapid unraveling of Swalwell’s operation over the past 72 hours underscored both his limited political standing in California and the ruthlessness of party insiders, who eviscerated him on social media.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2026
But ruthlessness may not guarantee him reelection.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Such ruthlessness from Russo in scoring her eighth goal in this season’s Champions League — a record in the women’s game for an English player in one European campaign — gave Arsenal a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg a week today (Wednesday).
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
Now, Iranians are likely to be wary about taking to the streets again because the Revolutionary Guard has demonstrated its ruthlessness, said Kamran Matin, an expert on Iran at the University of Sussex in southern England.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
This whole thing — Yasmin’s treachery, Harper’s ruthlessness, Ed’s heel turn, Lisa’s demise — is about the idea of an audit.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Newspaper headlines screamed that Welch had called out McCarthy for his cruelty, his ruthlessness and his lies.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The rapid unraveling of Swalwell’s operation over the past 72 hours underscored both his limited political standing in California and the ruthlessness of party insiders, who eviscerated him on social media.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2026
But ruthlessness may not guarantee him reelection.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Such ruthlessness from Russo in scoring her eighth goal in this season’s Champions League — a record in the women’s game for an English player in one European campaign — gave Arsenal a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg a week today (Wednesday).
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
Now, Iranians are likely to be wary about taking to the streets again because the Revolutionary Guard has demonstrated its ruthlessness, said Kamran Matin, an expert on Iran at the University of Sussex in southern England.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
This whole thing — Yasmin’s treachery, Harper’s ruthlessness, Ed’s heel turn, Lisa’s demise — is about the idea of an audit.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
Newspaper headlines screamed that Welch had called out McCarthy for his cruelty, his ruthlessness and his lies.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthlessness
Noun
-
That’s one of the great cruelties of the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The movie, set in Spain in 1944, is both an intoxicating work of fantasy and a grim parable of political rebellion, and its insights into the cruelties and vulnerabilities of fascist power remain undimmed.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Adapted for television by Adolescence co-creator, Emmy winner Jack Thorne, in Lord of the Flies, innocence descends into savagery when a group of English schoolboys becomes desert island castaways.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
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After the war, in sober reflection, the United States helped lead a global effort to try to tame the savagery of conflict and, in particular, to shield civilians.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
-
An extra-dark comedy that veers toward sadism, the film is saved by the chemistry and star power of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas (fresh off their Romancing the Stone series), with an assist from an excellent Danny DeVito.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
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Over Your Dead Body is not for the faint of heart, but give or take a rape threat that crosses the line into smug sadism without quite seeming to realize it, the violence lands as more comically cartoonish than horrific.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But no matter the brutality, Allin was able to withstand it all.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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The brutality of Butcher (Karl Urban) comes under the spotlight again, the episode questioning if the ends really justify the means—killing Homelander might complete Butcher’s transformation into a monster.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Their willingness to film their inhumanity echoed the Nazis of the Third Reich, who likewise filmed their mass atrocities.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
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Consider artificial intelligence phone systems that only add to the frustration and inhumanity of our lives.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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The Emperor’s battle arena, for example, is a marvel of moody set design, its barbarity brought to life by the throngs of people crowding to watch the action from atop its grated roof.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Johnson’s Anaia is much sweeter, and though there’s some ferocity inside her too, the movie leaves her in a compassionate, optimistic place.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
The storm’s ferocity increased.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruthlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthlessness. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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