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relentlessness

relentlessness

2 7.5
A quality of not stopping, often showing harsh or strong action
  • noun
  • /rɪˈlɛntləsnəs/
translation icon : implacabilidad
  • If we were to judge by our literature, America was a land of unfulfilled promises, of droopy alcoholic ex-prom queens, and of workers ground down by the relentlessness of the capitalist machine.

I think my mindset or relentlessness is probably a strength but maybe also a weakness.

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Examples

  • As Thomas Edison said, relentlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress.

  • Her relentlessness in pursuing her goals has inspired many of her friends.

  • Its relentlessness put her on edge.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • So it's, it's also relentlessness with optimism, I think.

  • What I can imagine is that Jones was up to here with the relentlessness of such requests.

    Blog text (23)
  • I think my mindset or relentlessness is probably a strength but maybe also a weakness.

  • I was just pondering the relentlessness of time.

  • And this relentlessness has led to you living a life of success, winning world titles, winning trophies, but nothing comes for free.

  • There was also a kind of relentlessness in their refusal to be hurried.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • This relentlessness had led her to expose her father's wrongdoing.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

persistence
vsrelentlessness
52 4.1

Continuing to try despite problems or opposition

is harsher and more mercilessly forceful than steady continuous effort
tenacity
vsrelentlessness
31 6.0

Not giving up when things are hard

is similar but adds harsher refusal to stop and merciless drive
stubbornness
vsrelentlessness
21 3.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when there are good reasons

is firmer and more merciless pushing objectives despite any opposition
steadfastness
vsrelentlessness
4 5.9

Loyalty that stays strong in hard times

is focused on unyielding harsh purpose rather than loyalty and steadiness
obstinacy
vsrelentlessness
3 7.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when others ask you to

is stronger adding merciless refusal and harsher persistence beyond mere refusal
doggedness
vsrelentlessness
1 6.5

A strong will to keep trying despite difficulties

is more forceful and merciless in pursuit than mere determined continuation
resoluteness
vsrelentlessness
1 6.0

The quality of staying very determined and not changing your mind when things are difficult

is firmer and often adds merciless insistence rather than calm decision
inexorability
vsrelentlessness
  • Formal
1 9.9

Something that cannot be stopped or changed

is firm refusal to stop often showing merciless unwavering purpose
indomitability
vsrelentlessness
1 9.4

A strong will to keep trying and not be defeated

is a determined refusal that focuses on merciless persistence rather than invincibility
indefatigability
vsrelentlessness
  • Formal
1 9.9

Not getting tired and continuing to work very hard

is more about harsh unyielding will and merciless aim than stamina
inexorableness
vsrelentlessness
  • Formal
9.9

The quality of not stopping no matter what happens

is about focused harsh refusal rather than mere unavoidable force
tenaciousness
vsrelentlessness
7.3

A strong will to keep trying and not give up

is stronger and often includes harsher unyielding merciless commitment
persistency
vsrelentlessness
6.4

Continuing to try and not giving up when things are difficult

is harsher adding refusal to yield and merciless determination
indefatigableness
vsrelentlessness
  • Formal
9.9

The ability to keep working without getting tired

is more focused on merciless refusal to change rather than mere stamina
tirelessness
vsrelentlessness
4.6

A state of great energy when a person does not get tired

is about harsh unyielding will rather than physical stamina
pertinacity
vsrelentlessness
  • Formal
9.9

Being very determined and not giving up

is harsher and often includes merciless aim beyond plain determination
insistency
vsrelentlessness
6.8

A firm, repeated demand for an answer or action

is more general refusal to yield and not only about demands
obdurateness
vsrelentlessness
9.8

The quality of being stubborn and not caring about others

is similar but more about merciless persistence in action than emotional hardness
incessantness
vsrelentlessness
9.5

A quality of continuing without stopping

is about harsh unyielding pursuit or merciless refusal not mere nonstop action

Antonyms

153 3.6

Ability to change plans or actions easily to fit new situations

How Persistent

relentlessness
2 7.5
persistence
52 4.1
steadiness
4 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

relentlessness = relentless (transparent) = relent + less + ness

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'relentless', producing a predictable abstract noun meaning 'the quality of being relentless'.

Etymology

Relentlessness comes from relent ('become less strong or less severe') and the ending -less ('without'), so it literally means 'without becoming less', like a storm that never calms or a person who never gives up.