adj

pitiless

PIH-tih-luhs

Pitiless (adj) means showing no pity or mercy. Example: “The desert sun was pitiless, beating down on the stranded hikers.”

adj

Showing no pity or mercy.

"The desert sun was pitiless, beating down on the stranded hikers."

"He gave a pitiless account of his rival's failures."

How to use pitiless

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMerciless and unfeeling, with no sympathy shown.

Common pairings

pitiless heat pitiless critic

more pitiless comparative, most pitiless superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The desert sun was _____, beating down on the stranded hikers.

From Middle English piteeles, from pity + -less.

Origin: Middle English

merciless penniless

What does “pitiless” mean?

The word “pitiless” means showing no pity or mercy. In plain terms, merciless and unfeeling, with no sympathy shown.

How do you pronounce “pitiless”?

“Pitiless” is pronounced PIH-tih-luhs (/ˈpɪtɪləs/ in IPA).

How do you use “pitiless” in a sentence?

Here is “pitiless” used in a sentence: “The desert sun was pitiless, beating down on the stranded hikers.”

What part of speech is “pitiless”?

“Pitiless” is an adjective.

Where does the word “pitiless” come from?

The word “pitiless” comes from Middle English. From Middle English piteeles, from pity + -less.