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ruthlessly

ruthlessly

18 6.6
To act without pity and treat people very harshly
  • adverb
  • /ˈruːθləsli/
translation icon : despiadadamente
  • But you are ruthlessly ambitious and completely without morals.
  • ruthlessly suppressed

Like you don't have to hold people to account so ruthlessly that it sucks.

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Examples

  • His troops had dealt ruthlessly with popular uprisings while routing a succession of Spanish armies.

  • The GSU was largely responsible for ruthlessly putting down the 1982 Air Force-led attempted coup.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Those who are not working are ruthlessly dragged away.

  • If our demands are not met within seven days, we shall ruthlessly apply the third, revenge.

  • For more than 20 years, he stole ruthlessly and without remorse.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Lincoln ruthlessly exposed Democratic hypocrisy.

  • The government has suppressed these demands ruthlessly for fear that they would lead to the breakup of the state.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Our task, however, is to be ruthlessly selective about those topics, avoiding nostalgia and sentimentality.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Egils Saga contains a remarkable description of Finnmark and shows how ruthlessly the Sami were exploited by the Norwegians.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The dictator ruled ruthlessly, showing no compassion for anyone who opposed him.

Synonyms

brutally
vsruthlessly
  • Offensive
142 6.1

In a cruel or very harsh way that causes harm

includes harshness but can also cover nonviolent severe behaviour
harshly
vsruthlessly
49 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

overlaps in severity but the key implies cruelty without pity
roughly
vsruthlessly
36 1.4

In a hard, violent way that shows no care

is similar in lack of gentleness but stresses intention to harm
viciously
vsruthlessly
34 5.7

In a cruel and violent way

matches cruelty but can also describe nonviolent harsh treatment
savagely
vsruthlessly
  • NSFW
22 6.7

In a very violent and cruel way

is equally violent but often focuses more on lack of pity
mercilessly
vsruthlessly
22 6.4

In a way that shows no pity

is similar but may emphasize relentless or practical harshness
cruelly
vsruthlessly
16 3.0

In a way that hurts people on purpose

is similar but can also include harshness without clear intent to harm
ferociously
vsruthlessly
12 5.6

In a very strong and angry way

overlaps in force but the key emphasizes absence of compassion instead
callously
vsruthlessly
7 7.7

In a way that shows no care for other people's feelings

is about lack of pity but can also involve active harshness
wickedly
vsruthlessly
5 6.3

In an evil and cruel way that harms other people

covers the same cruelty but may lack explicit moral evil intent
unkindly
vsruthlessly
4 4.4

To act in a harsh or mean way that hurts others

is similar but the key often signals deliberate merciless intent
unmercifully
vsruthlessly
3 7.6

In a very harsh and cruel way showing no kindness

shares that mercyless quality but often implies purposeful harshness
inhumanely
vsruthlessly
  • NSFW
1 7.0

In a cruel way that hurts people or animals a lot

shares lack of compassion but can be used more broadly for cruelty
remorselessly
vsruthlessly
1 8.1

In a way that shows no pity for others

is the same lack of pity but used more generally in behavior
cold-bloodedly
vsruthlessly
1 8.4

In a calm, cruel way without feeling sorry

is similarly unfeeling but does not always imply deliberate coldness
pitilessly
vsruthlessly
1 7.6

In a way that shows no pity or mercy

expresses the same merciless attitude but can be broader in use
inhumanly
vsruthlessly
  • NSFW
1 7.4

In a way that shows no kindness or mercy

overlaps in coldness but often stresses cruelty rather than inhumanity
barbarically
vsruthlessly
1 7.5

In a cruel and violent way that shows no kindness

is similar but can be used in less extreme uncivil contexts
unforgivingly
vsruthlessly
1 7.4

In a harsh way that gives no second chances

shares unforgiving attitude but the key is broader mercilessness
ungently
vsruthlessly
1 8.0

In a rough way that hurts or upsets someone

is harsher morally and aims to show lack of compassion rather than roughness
tyrannically
vsruthlessly
1 7.9

In a cruel, unfair way using strong control over others

shares cruelty but often implies specific political or power abuse
barbarously
vsruthlessly
8.3

In a cruel, violent way that hurts people

overlaps in brutality but can imply less social barbarism
bestially
vsruthlessly
  • NSFW
9.1

In a violent, cruel way like a wild animal

shares savage force but the key can imply calculated human harshness

Antonyms

16 4.8

In a kind way that shows forgiveness to someone in need

In a kind way that shows care for people who are suffering

How Cruel

ruthlessly
18 6.6
mercilessly
22 6.4
cruelly
16 3.0
harshly
49 3.5
sternly
16 3.9
gently
372 1.0

Surface Forms

ruthlessly positive

Morphology

ruthlessly = ruthless (semi-transparent) = ruth + less + ly

Formed from 'ruth' + '-less' and then '-ly'; '-ly' adverbial formation is clear but 'ruth' is archaic/unfamiliar, so the adjective base is only partly obvious to learners.

Etymology

The word ruthlessly starts with ruth, an old word for 'pity', and the part -less means 'without', while -ly makes it tell how something is done, so it really means 'without pity' and that's why to act ruthlessly is to be harsh and show no compassion.