ruthless

adjective

ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs 

 also  ˈru̇th-

: 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."

Synonyms

• affectless
• callous
• case-hardened
• cold-blooded
• compassionless
• desensitized
• hard
• hard-boiled
• hard-hearted
• heartless
• indurate
• inhuman
• inhumane
• insensate
• insensitive
• ironhearted
• merciless
• obdurate
• pachydermatous
• pitiless
• remorseless
• slash-and-burn
• soulless
• stony
• stoney
• stonyhearted
• take-no-prisoners
• thick-skinned
• uncharitable
• unfeeling
• unmerciful
• unsparing
• unsympathetic

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

But Mamá Elena is still nursing an old grudge against Pedro’s rich, ruthless father (Mauricio García Lozano). —Judy Berman, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

In fact, the line between art and reality can often blur—chefs face real-life nightmares every day, from ruthless critics to toxic workplaces. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Head Count is intended to be a darkly comedic crime series focused on a wedding planner who works on the big event days for some of the world’s most ruthless people. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024

All my favorite creator stories are equal parts ruthless execution and constant aimless experimentation, and Dimoldenberg is a perfect example of both. —David Pierce, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

ruthless

adjective

ruth·​less ˈrüth-ləs 

: having no pity : merciless, cruel

ruthlessly adverb

ruthlessness noun