Synonyms of ruthless

ruthless

adjective

ˈrüth-ləs 

as in merciless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• merciless
• hard
• pitiless
• stony
• oppressive
• brutal
• abusive
• callous
• heartless
• remorseless
• harsh
• cruel
• malicious
• hateful
• vicious
• tough
• compassionless
• inhuman
• unmerciful
• soulless
• inhumane
• hard-hearted
• stern
• take-no-prisoners
• unfeeling
• insensitive
• obdurate
• cold-blooded
• unsympathetic
• unsparing
• slash-and-burn
• uncharitable
• thick-skinned
• grim
• insensate
• savage
• severe
• case-hardened
• affectless
• indurate
• hard-boiled
• pachydermatous
• stoney
• desensitized
• mean
• uncaring
• thoughtless
• ironhearted
• rough
• boorish
• unthinking
• unfriendly
• inconsiderate
• stonyhearted
• heedless
• spiteful
• malevolent
• ungentle
• unloving
• rough-and-tumble
• heavy-handed
• virulent
• ironfisted
• disagreeable
• brutish
• surly
• cold
• barbarous
• ill-tempered
• acrimonious
• jackbooted
• bestial
• hard-bitten
• sledgehammer
• rancorous
• ironhanded
• ill-natured
• evil-minded
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• austere
• knock-down, drag-out
• frosty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• sensitive
• warm
• compassionate
• charitable
• humane
• merciful
• benevolent
• gentle
• kind
• kindly
• mild
• tender
• lenient
• friendly
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• indulgent
• gracious
• warmhearted
• tenderhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• loving
• tolerant
• affectionate
• good-natured
• understanding
• fond
• clement
• good-tempered

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of ruthless

John Rambo is a fictional Vietnam War veteran and Green Beret, tackling dangerous missions and ruthless foes. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 Nov. 2024

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

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