1
as in troublesome
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2
as in pitying
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthful
Adjective
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Otherwise, the 27-year-old’s immeasurable talent has been enough to compensate for the shortcomings of Red Bull’s car, which has proven troublesome since midway through last season.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
10 July 2025 -
Work will be done to improve a troublesome railroad crossing for motorists in the center of Mt. Juliet for the second time in about four years.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Wonder’s poignant words led to an unexpected cover of John Lennon’s Imagine, setting the precedent for an uplifting and emotional night celebrating music, family and joy.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Like Wim Wenders’ poignant study of a middle-aged janitor’s routines in Tokyo, The Scout could find success in arthouse theaters and on the festival circuit.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Even if local laws are lenient about when you are allowed to operate a leaf blower, timing is key to good leaf blower etiquette.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 July 2025
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Conservative lawmakers have often accused progressive district attorneys and magistrate judges in Texas' largest metro areas of being too lenient with pretrial release.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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As Jimmy Lennox, a musician carrying a torch for Susan Sarandon's Louise, Madsen got to do some of the most moving and mercurial work of his career.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
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On June 18, The Baltimore Sun published a very moving and poignant editorial cartoon showing a picture of Minnesota with the state’s eastern border as the silhouette of a weeping Uncle Sam.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Savory pork and briny tapenade slam against your palate, while a merciful scattering of greens doused with lemon juice softens the blow.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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Orner practices merciful distillation, infusing every word with regret, sorrow, or wonder.—
Donna Seaman
June 18,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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His doleful father, portrayed by Paul Dooley in a magically right match of performer and material, despairs for his blithely romantic son’s future.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
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The song begins with Iommi’s signature doleful blues soloing before kicking into a doomy groove.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 July 2024
Adjective
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The hybridization made these more tolerant of the sun.—
Chris McKeown,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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After his death the day after Easter at age 88, Francis was hailed for pushing Catholics and others to forsake egotism and materialism in favor of a kinder, more tolerant world focused above all on the marginalized.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Its most affecting moments reference the AIDS epidemic’s abject cruelty.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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This self-examination seems glib (whereas del Toro was actually more affecting as the desperate artist in The French Dispatch).—
Armond White,
National Review,
30 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthful. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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