ruthless

comparative more ruthless · superlative most ruthless

1. Without pity or compassion; cruel, pitiless.

   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

   1 more example

   "The warrior code speaks of fairness and mercy," Bluefur began. Thistleclaw had been ruthless. "He would have murd—"

   2009, Erin Hunter [pseudonym; Erin Hunter Team], Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar's Prophecy, page 461

   Synonyms: compassionless, merciless, unsympathetic, barbarous, bowelless, brutal, compassionless, cruel · Antonyms: ruthful

2. Uncompromising; unrelenting.

   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

   1 more example

   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