merciless

Showing no quarter

Merciless means showing no mercy—cruel, relentless, or unsparing.

A merciless critic offers no gentleness; a merciless sun beats down without relief.

The word emphasizes the absence of compassion where it might be expected or hoped for: The invaders were merciless with the civilian population.

cruel

ruthless

Lacking any compassion

pitilessLacking any compassion
heartlessLacking pity or mercy
brutalSavagely harsh or severe

savage · relentless · unsparing · callous · cold-blooded · vicious · ferocious · sadistic · inhuman · barbaric

unyielding

relentless

Continuing without pause

inexorableImpossible to prevent
implacableIncapable of being pacified
unrelentingRefusing to let up

unforgiving · inflexible · unbending · adamant · obdurate · stern · harsh · unappeasable · unstoppable · persistent

indifferent

cold

Low temperature state

unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
callousCruelly insensitive to others
detachedApart or uninvolved

apathetic · unmoved · unsympathetic · uncompassionate · dispassionate · stoic · impassive · aloof · uncaring · insensitive

Categories

cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
fiercebrutal, violent, savage, ferocious, fierce
harshbiting, bitter, brutal, caustic, cruel
oppressivestifling, suffocating, smothering, crushing, repressive
Coldfrigid, frozen, icy, freezing, chilly

Opposites

compassion and mercy

mercilessmerciful

Disposed toward forgiveness

compassionate · humane · sparing · forgiving · clement

severity of treatment

mercilesslenient

Tolerant of faults

gentle · mild · indulgent · tolerant · forbearing

Phrases

merciless ruleHarsh unforgiving governance

Family

mercilessly, mercilessness

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG