Synonyms

relentless

American

[ri-lent-lis] / rɪˈlɛnt lɪs /

adjective

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

a relentless barrage of bad news.
unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh.

a relentless crackdown on human rights.

Synonyms:

unyielding , adamant , obdurate , unbending , rigid

Antonyms:

merciful

relentless British

/ rɪˈlɛntlɪs /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See inflexible.

Other Word Forms

relentlessly adverb
relentlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of relentless

First recorded in 1585–95; relent + -less

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Technically, the top league in Europe is relentless and, as Leeds found on Sunday against Villa, unforgiving.

From BBC

But as resistant as Didi is to Cliff’s relentless wisecrackery—and despite her awareness that there are an age gap and a fiancée in the way—she eventually melts.

From The Wall Street Journal

We were impressed with its seamless reaction and relentless forward motion when driving it on dirt paths in hilly terrain.

From MarketWatch

The audience anticipates the frightening future that awaits these journalists, which makes their relentless advocacy all the more moving.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s relentless in pursuing this job that she wants that doesn’t want her.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023