merciless

/'mə:silis/

Thân thiện

The merciless sun beat down on the desert caravan.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or showing no mercy; cruel, pitiless: Describes someone or something that acts without compassion, kindness, or forgiveness, often causing severe pain or suffering.

Usage

The adjective "merciless" is used to describe a person, action, or force that is extremely harsh and shows no intention to be kind or to stop causing harm. It often implies a deliberate, sustained, or severe cruelty.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The general was a merciless ruler who punished even minor crimes severely.
  • The summer sun was merciless, scorching the land and causing a drought.
  • She faced merciless criticism from the press after her mistake.

Advanced Usage

• "merciless in one's pursuit/criticism": Showing no leniency or restraint when chasing a goal or judging someone.
  • The prosecutor was merciless in his pursuit of justice.
• "merciless logic/accuracy": Used figuratively to describe an argument, analysis, or standard that is unforgivingly precise and leaves no room for error or excuse.
  • The software's merciless logic exposed every flaw in the data.

Variants and Related Words

• Mercilessly (adverb): In a merciless manner.
  • The rebels were mercilessly suppressed.
• Mercilessness (noun): The quality of being merciless.
  • The mercilessness of the attack shocked the world.

Synonyms

• Ruthless: Having no pity; harsh and cruel.
• Pitiless: Showing no pity.
• Relentless: Unceasingly intense; harsh or inflexible.
• Cruel: Willfully causing pain or suffering to others.
• Heartless: Lacking sympathy or feeling; unfeeling.

Antonyms

• Merciful: Showing or exercising mercy.
• Compassionate: Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
• Lenient: More merciful or tolerant than expected.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Give no quarter; show no mercy": This is a related concept meaning to be completely merciless, especially in battle or competition. While not an idiom with the exact word "merciless," it expresses the same idea.
  • In the final round of the tournament, the champion gave no quarter.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having or showing no mercy
   • the merciless enemy
   • a merciless critic
   • gave him a merciless beating

Từ đồng nghĩa

• unmerciful