as in merciless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
an office supervisor with a ruthless disregard for others' feelings
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Recent Examples of ruthless
What have prosecutors said about Diddy? Prosecutor Christy Slavik started to sum up the government’s case against Diddy just after 10 a.m., describing him as a ruthless lawbreaker who used an iron fist — and a network of eager underlings — to meet his every demand.
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Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Surely, though, the new era is not going to be fully gung-ho, involving the kind of ruthless, direct attacking play that characterised the 2017-18 team — many City fans’ favourite of the modern era.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Confronting Iran’s ruthless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression demands strength, resolve, and strategic clarity.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 June 2025
Michael Fassbender plays the deceased Apple guru — a flawed, ruthless, but ultimately compassionate soul.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Surely, though, the new era is not going to be fully gung-ho, involving the kind of ruthless, direct attacking play that characterised the 2017-18 team — many City fans’ favourite of the modern era.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Confronting Iran’s ruthless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression demands strength, resolve, and strategic clarity.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 June 2025
Michael Fassbender plays the deceased Apple guru — a flawed, ruthless, but ultimately compassionate soul.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruthless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruthless
merciless
Adjective
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Frank Trapper / Contributor/Corbis Entertainment Lydia is a high-ranking and merciless executive at Madrigal Electromotive who helps supply Walt's meth operation.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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While Charlie Brown played things safe, Snoopy lived an exuberant life in his imagination, casting himself as a frustrated novelist, gleeful dancer, merciless attorney and even a prolific flying ace in a World War I Sopwith Camel.—
Chris Carra,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruthless. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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