ruthless

/'ru:θlis/

Thân thiện

A ruthless general ordered the destruction of the village.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Showing no pity or compassion; merciless: Describes a person, action, or attitude that is harsh, cruel, and determined to achieve something without caring about harming others. 2. Hard and relentless: Implies a severe, uncompromising determination to succeed or enforce one's will.

Usage

The adjective "ruthless" is used to describe behavior, decisions, or people characterized by a severe lack of mercy. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting excessive and often cruel determination. * It typically modifies a noun directly (e.g., a ruthless dictator, ruthless competition). * It can follow linking verbs like "be," "seem," or "become" (e.g., The tactics were ruthless).

Examples

• The general was known for his ruthless tactics in war.
• She made a ruthless decision to cut funding from the failing department.
• In the world of business, competition can be ruthless.
• The novel's villain is completely ruthless in his pursuit of power.

Advanced Usage

• "Ruthless efficiency": A common collocation describing a process or person that achieves goals with extreme effectiveness and without sentiment or unnecessary steps, which can be seen as both admirable and cold.
  • The company streamlined its operations with ruthless efficiency.

Variants and Related Words

• Ruthlessly (adverb): In a ruthless manner.
  • He ruthlessly eliminated his competitors.
• Ruthlessness (noun): The quality of being ruthless.
  • His success was built on a foundation of ruthlessness.

Synonyms

• Merciless
• Pitiless
• Relentless
• Remorseless
• Hard-hearted
• Cruel

Antonyms

• Merciful
• Compassionate
• Gentle
• Lenient

Idioms and Phrases

• "Cutthroat" (adjective): While not a direct idiom with "ruthless," this is a closely related term often used in similar contexts (e.g., business, competition) to mean fiercely competitive and merciless.
  • It's a cutthroat industry where only the strongest survive.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. without mercy or pity
   • an act of ruthless ferocity
   • a monster of remorseless cruelty

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pitiless
• remorseless
• unpitying