ruthlessness

/'ru:θlisnis/

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Word: Ruthlessness

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Ruthlessness refers to a way of acting or thinking that shows no pity or compassion for others. It is when someone is very harsh, cruel, or willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even if it hurts other people.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: Use "ruthlessness" when describing someone’s behavior or attitude, especially in situations where they are being very harsh or unkind.
• Formality: The word is more formal and is often used in discussions about business, politics, or personal behavior.

Example Sentence:

• "The CEO's ruthlessness in making cuts to the workforce shocked many employees."

Advanced Usage:

• "His ruthlessness in negotiations earned him a reputation as a tough businessman."

Word Variants:

• Ruthless (adjective): Describes a person or action that is without pity.
  • Example: "Her ruthless ambition led her to make difficult choices."
• Ruthlessly (adverb): Describes how an action is done in a ruthless manner.
  • Example: "He ruthlessly pursued his goals, ignoring the feelings of others."

Different Meanings:

While "ruthlessness" primarily relates to a lack of compassion, it can also imply a strategic approach where someone might act without emotional ties for practical reasons.

Synonyms:

• Cruelty
• Heartlessness
• Mercilessness
• Callousness
• Pitilessness

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "No mercy": This phrase is similar to ruthlessness and means to show no compassion or forgiveness.

  • Example: "In the competition, they showed no mercy to their opponents."

• "Cold-hearted": This idiom describes someone who is emotionally unfeeling or indifferent to the suffering of others.

  • Example: "Her cold-hearted decisions in the project left many feeling hurt."

Summary:

Ruthlessness is about being extremely tough and unsympathetic.

Academic

Noun

1. feelings of extreme heartlessness
2. mercilessness characterized by a lack of pity

Synonyms

• cruelty
• mercilessness
• pitilessness