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ruthlesshaving or showing no pity or compassion for others; cruel and merciless

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: having or showing no pity or compassion for others; cruel and merciless

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈruːθləs/

Example Sentences

  • My boss is so ruthless, he fired Santa Claus for taking too many cookie breaks.
  • The company's ruthless cost-cutting measures eliminated all employee benefits.
  • She was ruthless in her criticism, pointing out every tiny flaw in the presentation.

ruthless

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈruːθləs/]

having or showing no pity or compassion for others; cruel and merciless

The ruthless general orders the attack without a single glance back at the wounded.
💡 Concept

The ruthless general orders the attack without a single glance back at the wounded.

RUTH(pity) + LESS(without) — acting entirely LESS(without) RUTH(pity), the rich man gave a ruthless kick to the starving beggar.
🧠 Mnemonic

RUTH(pity) + LESS(without) — acting entirely LESS(without) RUTH(pity), the rich man gave a ruthless kick to the starving beggar.

Working at the ticket booth, the toothless guard suddenly became a ruthless monster to the poor kids.
🎵 Rhyme

Working at the ticket booth, the toothless guard suddenly became a ruthless monster to the poor kids.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈruːθləs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈruːθləs/

🌳Etymology

Rootruth
Suffix--less

Origin

From Middle English, combining 'ruth' (meaning compassion or pity, from Old Norse 'ruth' meaning sorrow/regret) with the suffix '-less'. The word literally means 'without compassion or mercy'.

Breakdown

ruth (compassion, pity) + -less (without, lacking)

🎵Rhyme

toothlesstruthless
toothless
truthless

🔗Collocations

ruthless competition
ruthless dictator
ruthless businessman
ruthless pursuit
ruthless efficiency
ruthlessly eliminate

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My boss is so ruthless, he fired Santa Claus for taking too many cookie breaks.

The company's ruthless cost-cutting measures eliminated all employee benefits.

She was ruthless in her criticism, pointing out every tiny flaw in the presentation.

😄 Fun example

The ruthless pirate captain made his crew walk the plank for eating his last piece of pizza.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

mercilesspitilessheartlesscruelbrutal

Antonyms

mercifulcompassionatekind

Related

harshsevereunforgivingcold-blooded

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