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Ruthless Definition: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：merciless (ruthless)
ruthless
/ˈruːθləs/
adj.
showing no pity or kindness to others when trying to achieve a goal.
merciless
➕
/ˈmɜːrsɪləs/
adj.
Describes a person who is extremely harsh and shows no pity or sympathy, especially in order to achieve their own goals.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Ruth (pity) + -less (without) = without pity.
💡 Mnemonic
Ruth sounds like 'root'. A rootless plant has no foundation; a ruthless person has no compassion.
📖 Example
To climb to the top of the company, he was known to be a ruthless competitor, willing to take credit for his team's work.
To reach the top of the company, he was known as a pitiless competitor who readily took credit for his team's work.
🔗 Collocations
ruthless competitor – a competitor who shows no mercy
ruthless ambition – unrelenting desire for success without regard for others
ruthless tactics – harsh methods used without concern for ethics
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
compassionate (adj.) – feeling or showing sympathy
merciful (adj.) – showing mercy
kind (adj.) – generous, helpful, and caring
🌱 Derivatives
ruthlessly (adv.) – in a ruthless manner
ruthlessness (n.) – the quality of being ruthless
ruth (n.) – compassion (archaic)
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from the archaic noun 'ruth' (compassion), from Old Norse 'hryggð'. Used since 14th century to describe lack of pity, often in competitive or strict contexts.
Meaning 2：unyielding (ruthless)
ruthless
/ˈruːθləs/
adj.
used to describe a very strict rule or system that allows for no exceptions or kindness.
unyielding
➕
/ʌnˈjiːldɪŋ/
adj.
Describes a rule, system, or policy that is extremely strict and makes no allowances for leniency or exceptions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The school has a ruthless policy against plagiarism; any student caught copying will automatically fail the course.
The school enforces a strict anti-plagiarism policy with no exceptions; any student caught copying will automatically fail the course.
🔗 Collocations
ruthless policy – a policy that is applied without any mercy
ruthless enforcement – strict application of rules without flexibility
ruthless system – a system that allows no exceptions or special treatment
🔄 Synonyms
stringent (adj.) – strict, precise, and exacting
relentless (adj.) – unremitting and harsh
draconian (adj.) – extremely harsh and severe (of laws)
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
ruthlessly (adv.) – in a ruthless manner
ruthlessness (n.) – the quality of being ruthless
ruth (n.) – compassion (archaic)
Wordbook
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