Ruthless — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈrüth-ləs/ ruth·less

Meaning & Definition of Ruthless

Ruthless (adjective)

  1. having no pity, merciless, cruel

Ruthless (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings"

    similar: 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, 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 Ruthless

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ruthless:

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, stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ruthless

Words with the opposite meaning of Ruthless:

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

Related Words for Ruthless

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 Ruthless

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

Word Forms of Ruthless

Derived words: ruthlessly (adverb), ruthlessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Ruthless

Middle English rewthles, routheeles, from rewthe, routhe "pity, ruth" + -les -less

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Ruthless

What does "Ruthless" mean?

"Ruthless" means having no pity, merciless, cruel. As an adjective, it is defined as: having no pity, merciless, cruel.

What is another word for "Ruthless"?

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

What are different ways to say "Ruthless"?

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

What is the opposite of "Ruthless"?

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

How do you use "Ruthless" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ruthless" in a sentence: "an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings".

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

"Ruthless" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Ruthless"?

"Ruthless" is pronounced /ˈrüth-ləs/ and divided into syllables as ruth·less.

What is the origin of the word "Ruthless"?

"Ruthless" comes from Middle English rewthles, routheeles, from rewthe, routhe "pity, ruth" + -les -less. First known use: 14th century.