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merciless

[ mur-si-lis ]

/ ˈmɜr sɪ lɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR merciless ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

without mercy; having or showing no mercy; pitiless; cruel: a merciless critic.

Origin of merciless

First recorded in 1300–50, merciless is from the Middle English word mercyles. See mercy, -less

SYNONYMS FOR merciless

hard, relentless, unrelenting, fell, unsympathetic, inexorable.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR merciless ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR merciless

compassionate.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR merciless ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM merciless

mer·ci·less·ly, adverb mer·ci·less·ness, noun

Words nearby merciless

mercian, mercier, mercier's bar, merciful, mercifully, merciless, merckx, mercosur, mercouri, mercurate, mercurial

Example sentences from the Web for merciless

Dovlatov was a merciless opponent of oppression, whose chief weapon was one dictatorships are rarely good at facing: humor.

From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way |Daniel Genis |September 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The Soviet regime was merciless to its opponents, and millions suffered and perished in its labor camp.

From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way |Daniel Genis |September 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The biggest con: Washington is a merciless meat-grinder of a place that ends as many political careers as it launches.

With Julian Castro Taking Over at HUD, a New Political Dynasty Is in the Making |Ruben Navarrette Jr. |May 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“Life was merciless, then briefly miraculous,” Phillips writes toward the end of Quiet Dell.

Murder, She Wrote: Jayne Anne Phillips on Her New Novel |Jane Ciabattari |October 21, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

He is merciless toward his characters, subjecting them to all manner of suffering and cruelty.

The Werewolf Novel as Post-9/11 Political Allegory? |Roxane Gay |May 16, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
A breach was made in the wall; the besiegers poured in; and a merciless massacre followed.

An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800 |Mary Frances Cusack
No other word could resist the merciless use which lovers make of it.

Les Misrables |Victor Hugo
Spicca is, on the contrary, admirably drawn, and the regard we feel for the merciless old duellist is roused in us with true art.

Critical Studies |Ouida
Cruel and merciless as was this raid, it had a justification, at least in the burning of houses, on the principles of war.

The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2 |J. T. Headley.
There was no pity for youth or age; the war-club spared not, and the tomahawk was merciless.

History, Manners, and Customs of the North American Indians |George Mogridge

British Dictionary definitions for merciless

merciless

/ (ˈmɜːsɪlɪs) /

adjective

without mercy; pitiless, cruel, or heartless

Derived forms of merciless

mercilessly, adverb mercilessness, noun