merciless

adjective

mer·​ci·​less ˈmər-si-ləs How to pronounce merciless (audio)
: having or showing no mercy : pitiless
the merciless killing of innocent people
mercilessly adverb
mercilessness noun

Examples of merciless in a Sentence

the merciless killing of innocent people He has been merciless in his criticism of his opponent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This time, his assignment takes him to Serbia, as he is tasked with assassinating the merciless General Mile Valstoria (Peter Linka). Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 10 May 2025 That was 12 years ago, and yet the talk about him continues here, the ghosts live on, and with merciless frequency Lerro privately relives the fateful morning in which a vicious storm descended upon him with no warning. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025 The Bear, an intense comedy-drama set in a merciless Chicago kitchen, racked up 21 Primetime Emmys across its first three seasons. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 May 2025 But too many backers of Israel can’t seem to imagine a reason besides antisemitic animus for impassioned opposition to Israel’s merciless war on the Gaza Strip. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for merciless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merciless was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Merciless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merciless. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

merciless

adjective
mer·​ci·​less ˈmər-si-ləs How to pronounce merciless (audio)
: having no mercy : pitiless
merciless slaughter
mercilessly adverb
mercilessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on merciless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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