Word
merciless
Phoneticsmer·ci·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɝsəɫəs/
UK/mˈɜːsɪləs/
Definition
adj. showing no kindness or pity toward someone. You use this to describe a person or thing that is very cruel and does not stop.
adj. showing no compassion or forgiveness; cruel and harsh in nature. Often used to describe people in power or extreme environmental conditions.
Examples
“The merciless sun beat down on the desert travelers.”
“The dictator was merciless toward anyone who dared to speak out against his government.”
“The critics were merciless in their reviews, dissecting every minor flaw in the performance until the young actor's confidence was completely shattered.”
Examples
simple
“The merciless sun beat down on the desert travelers.”
contextual
“The dictator was merciless toward anyone who dared to speak out against his government.”
complex
“The critics were merciless in their reviews, dissecting every minor flaw in the performance until the young actor's confidence was completely shattered.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“It will take more than this merciless pummelling of an ageing team so obviously in decline to complete the healing process.” Etymology
From Middle English merciles, mercyles, equivalent to mercy + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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