relentless

[ ri-lent-lis ]

adjective

1. not easing or slackening; maintaining speed, vigor, etc.:

   a relentless barrage of bad news.

2. unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh:

   a relentless crackdown on human rights.

   Synonyms: unyielding, adamant, obdurate, unbending, rigid

   Antonyms: merciful

relentless

/ rɪˈlɛntlɪs /

adjective

1. (of an enemy, hostile attitude, etc) implacable; inflexible; inexorable
2. (of pace or intensity) sustained; unremitting

Derived Forms

• reˈlentlessness, noun
• reˈlentlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·lent·less·ly adverb
• re·lent·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relentless¹

First recorded in 1585–95; relent + -less

Synonym Study

See inflexible.

Example Sentences

The Florida lawmaker has been one of the president-elect's most aggressive and relentless defenders - at congressional hearings, in press conferences and during television appearances.

From BBC

"As a serial entrepreneur, Musk has been relentless in trying to improve institutional efficiency at his own enterprises, most notably, Tesla and X," says Thomas Gift, a professor of US politics at University College London.

From BBC

“What I found intriguing was you have these two characters, both of whom are meticulous and obsessive and relentless and talented and two sides of the same coin, on this one-way path to collision,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

"I promise you, for the remainder of the next four years, I will only speak to you in this tone of voice, this close to the camera. I will be relentless."

From Salon

“The health care system, which should be a sanctuary in times of war, has instead become a target. Hospitals are under siege, and medical professionals, who are doing everything in their power to save lives, are under direct threat. Doctors are being attacked, kidnapped and killed, while the very institutions meant to provide care are being bombarded. Yet, the world remains largely silent on their plight. While there is global outrage over civilian casualties, the relentless attacks on the medical community remain underreported.”

From Salon

Related Words

• determined
• dogged
• ferocious
• fierce
• harsh
• implacable
• inexorable
• rigorous
• ruthless
• single-minded
• uncompromising
• unforgiving
• unrelenting
• unstoppable
• unyielding