Ruthless Meaning
/ˈɹuːθləs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjWithout pity or compassion; cruel, pitiless.
adjUncompromising; unrelenting.
Sentence Examples
Those guys are ruthless, covering up their tracks like that after all their wrongdoing.
Among the manufacturers of so-called consumer electronics, there's ruthless, cut-throat competition.
I had no idea you were so ruthless.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The dictator was known for his ____ treatment of political enemies, showing no mercy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ businessman cut costs by laying off hundreds of workers without any warning.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *hrewwaną Proto-West Germanic *hreuwan Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Germanic *-ō Proto-West Germanic *-u Proto-West Germanic *hreuwu Old English hrēow Middle English rewe Middle English -the Old Norse hrygðinflu. Middle English reuþe Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Middle English -les Middle English reuþeles English ruthless From Middle English reuþeles; equivalent to ruth + -less.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At length their rage the hoſtile Pow’rs reſtrain, / All but the ruthleſs Monarch of the Main."
— 1725, Homer, translated by Alexander Pope et al., The Odyssey of Homer, volume I, Bernard Lintot, page 10:
"Particular note, in this period, should be made of the actions of Joseph Denman, commander of the Northern Division of the Squadron, who went on an absolutely ruthless and systematic campaign along the African coast, burning so-called "slaving factories" to the ground and openly daring anyone who objected to try and stop him."
— 2018 December 1, Drachinifel, 9:26 from the start, in Anti-Slavery Patrols - The West Africa Squadron, archived from the original on 29 Nov 2024:
"But the ruthless cleaning up of those streets and merciless treatment of gang members have triggered outrage and concern among human rights organizations, which have condemned Cecot as inhumane and unacceptable."
— 2024 November 6, David Culver, Abel Alvarado, Evelio Contreras and Rachel Clarke, “Exclusive: Locking eyes with mass murderers in El Salvador”, in CNN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The dictator was known for his ____ treatment of political enemies, showing no mercy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ businessman cut costs by laying off hundreds of workers without any warning.