pitiless

[ pit-i-lis, pit-ee- ]

adjective

1. feeling or showing no pity; merciless:

   pitiless criticism of his last novel.

   Synonyms: implacable, unmerciful, relentless

   Antonyms: merciful

pitiless

/ ˈpɪtɪlɪs /

adjective

1. having or showing little or no pity or mercy

Derived Forms

• ˈpitilessness, noun
• ˈpitilessly, adverb

Other Words From

• piti·less·ly adverb
• piti·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitiless¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, pitiless is from the late Middle English word piteles. See pity, -less

Synonym Study

See cruel.

Example Sentences

After the pitiless grind of junior year, we are all determined to enjoy our family’s final days in high school.

From Los Angeles Times

The paint mass market has no shortage of options available: Behr, the pitiless paint god at whose Home Depot altar I am often forced to worship, boasts nearly 4,000 colors, and selecting one is just the beginning.

From Los Angeles Times

If “Succession” appealed to you more for its corner-office ruthlessness than its pitiless family warfare, then this British drama about the jockeying among young traders at a London investment bank, entering its third season, might scratch the same itch.

From New York Times

Season 3 will wrap up their story, as our heroes seek a safe haven from all the world’s violent, pitiless ravagers while also looking for the root cause of the devastating plague and mass mutation event that upended the social order.

From New York Times

The paint mass market has no shortage of options available: Behr, the pitiless paint god at whose Home Depot altar I am often forced to worship, boasts nearly 4,000 colors, and selecting one is just the beginning.

From Los Angeles Times