ruthless

adjective

ruth·less ˈrüth-ləs

also ˈru̇th-

Synonyms of ruthless next

: having no pity : merciless, cruel

a ruthless tyrant

ruthlessly adverb

ruthlessness noun

Did you know?

If someone can be ruthless, can one also be ruthful?

Ruthless can be defined as "without ruth" or "having no ruth." So what, then, is ruth? The noun ruth, which is now considerably less common than ruthless, means "compassion for the misery of another," "sorrow for one's own faults," or "remorse." And, just as it is possible for one to be without ruth, it is also possible to be full of ruth. The antonym of ruthless is ruthful, meaning "full of ruth" or "tender." Ruthful can also mean "full of sorrow" or "causing sorrow." Ruth can be traced back to the Middle English noun ruthe, itself from ruen, meaning "to rue" or "to feel regret, remorse, or sorrow."

Examples of ruthless in a Sentence

The journalist was ruthless in his criticism. an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

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Her wife and now-teenage daughter stood by her throughout the process, despite ruthless coverage from Mexican and Spanish news outlets, some of which continue to misgender and deadname her to this day. —

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 The ruthless military officer with the monocle and the swagger stick who sends his men to senseless death and/or turns traitor. —

Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 Penned by journalist Gabe Sherman, The Apprentice follows the trajectory and rise to prominence of young and somewhat naïve rich boy Trump (Stan) under the tutelage of ruthless Republican lawyer and ex-Joe McCarthy bagman Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). —

Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024 Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, where two ruthless step-siblings will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy, including seducing the daughter of the vice-president of the United States. —

Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruthless