Merciless — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈmər-si-ləs/ mer·ci·less

Meaning & Definition of Merciless

Merciless (adjective)

  1. having or showing no mercy, pitiless

Merciless (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

    "she is a merciless competitor at board games of any kind"

    similar: affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard, hard-boiled, hard-hearted, heartless, indurate, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, insensitive, ironhearted, obdurate, pachydermatous, pitiless, remorseless, ruthless, slash-and-burn, soulless, stony, stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic
    related: boorish, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, unfriendly, unloving, unthinking, grim, hard-bitten, harsh, heavy-handed, ironfisted, ironhanded, jackbooted, knock-down, drag-out, oppressive, rough, rough-and-tumble, severe, sledgehammer, stern, tough, ungentle, abusive, acrimonious, disagreeable, hateful, ill-natured, ill-tempered, malevolent, malicious, mean, rancorous, spiteful, surly, virulent, barbarous, bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, evil-minded, savage, vicious, austere, cold, frosty
    opposite: charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted
    near: benevolent, benignant, gentle, kind, clement, indulgent, lenient, mild, cordial, friendly, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, tolerant, understanding, affectionate, fond, loving

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Merciless

The most common words with a similar meaning to Merciless:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Merciless

Words with the opposite meaning of Merciless:

charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted

Related Words for Merciless

boorish, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, unfriendly, unloving, unthinking, grim, hard-bitten, harsh, heavy-handed, ironfisted, ironhanded, jackbooted, knock-down, drag-out, oppressive, rough, rough-and-tumble, severe, sledgehammer, stern, tough, ungentle, abusive, acrimonious, disagreeable, hateful, ill-natured, ill-tempered

Near Antonyms of Merciless

benevolent, benignant, gentle, kind, clement, indulgent, lenient, mild, cordial, friendly, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, tolerant, understanding, affectionate, fond, loving

Word Forms of Merciless

Derived words: mercilessly (adverb), mercilessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Merciless

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Merciless

What does "Merciless" mean?

"Merciless" means having or showing no mercy, pitiless. As an adjective, it is defined as: having or showing no mercy, pitiless.

What is another word for "Merciless"?

Other words for "Merciless" include affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard and hard-boiled. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Merciless" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Merciless"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Merciless". Common alternatives include affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard, hard-boiled, hard-hearted and heartless.

What is the opposite of "Merciless"?

Antonyms of "Merciless" include charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive and softhearted. Near antonyms include benevolent, benignant, gentle and kind.

How do you use "Merciless" in a sentence?

Examples of "Merciless" in a sentence: "she is a merciless competitor at board games of any kind".

Is "Merciless" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Merciless" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Merciless"?

"Merciless" is pronounced /ˈmər-si-ləs/ and divided into syllables as mer·ci·less.

What is the origin of the word "Merciless"?

First known use: 14th century.