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Definition of mercilessness

mercilessness

/ˈmɜːrsɪləsnəs/
mer · ci · less · ness
Adverb:mercilessly
•
Adjective:merciless
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mercilessness Lexical Profile

mercilessness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of showing no mercy, pity, or compassion toward others; extreme harshness or ruthlessness.

Example

"The critic was known for the sheer mercilessness of his reviews when evaluating poorly prepared performances."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mercilessness
Antonyms
View all antonyms for mercilessness

• Nearby Words

mercifulness
merciless
mercilessly
mercilessness
mercurial
mercury
mercy

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from 'merciless' plus the native noun-forming suffix '-ness'; the root 'mercy' derives via Old French from Latin 'merces', meaning 'reward, wages, or favor'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mercilessness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mercilessness
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