adj
merciless
MUR-sih-luhs
Merciless (adj) means showing no mercy at all; cruel and unforgiving. Example: “The critics were merciless in their review of the film.”
adj
1
Showing no mercy at all; cruel and unforgiving.
"The critics were merciless in their review of the film."
"The desert sun was merciless by midday."
"But the ruthless cleaning up of those streets and merciless treatment of gang members have triggered outrage and concern among human rights organizations, which have condemned Cecot as inhumane and unacceptable."
— David Culver, Exclusive: Locking eyes with mass murderers in El Salvador (2024)
"The sun is merciless today, so please take care of yourself."
— HAL Laboratory, EarthBound (1995)
How to use merciless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely without pity or forgiveness.
Common pairings
merciless heat
merciless critic
a merciless attack
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more merciless
- Superlative
- most merciless
Fill the gap
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The critics were _____ in their review of the film.
Etymology
From Middle English merciles, formed from mercy plus -less, meaning literally "without mercy."
Related words
Rhymes for merciless
See all rhymes for merciless →Frequently asked questions
What does “merciless” mean?
The word “merciless” means showing no mercy at all; cruel and unforgiving. In plain terms, completely without pity or forgiveness.
How do you pronounce “merciless”?
“Merciless” is pronounced MUR-sih-luhs (/ˈmɝsɪləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “merciless” in a sentence?
Here is “merciless” used in a sentence: “The critics were merciless in their review of the film.”
What part of speech is “merciless”?
“Merciless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “merciless” come from?
The word “merciless” comes from Middle English. From Middle English merciles, formed from mercy plus -less, meaning literally "without mercy.".
