Definitions
- Describing someone who is without pity or compassion. - Referring to a situation where no mercy or kindness is shown. - Talking about an action or behavior that is harsh and unfeeling.
- Describing someone who is cruel and without mercy. - Referring to a situation where no compassion or empathy is shown. - Talking about an action or behavior that is brutal and unforgiving.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a lack of compassion or mercy.
- 2Both words can be used to describe people, situations, or actions.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
- 4Both words suggest a harsh and unfeeling attitude.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Ruthless is more intense than pitiless and suggests a greater degree of cruelty and brutality.
- 2Motivation: Pitiless implies a lack of compassion or empathy, while ruthless suggests a deliberate and calculated disregard for others.
- 3Scope: Pitiless can refer to a specific action or behavior, while ruthless can describe a broader pattern of behavior or personality trait.
- 4Usage: Pitiless is less common than ruthless and may be considered more formal or literary.
Remember this!
While pitiless and ruthless are both synonyms for lacking compassion or mercy, they differ in intensity, motivation, scope, usage, and etymology. Ruthless suggests a deliberate and calculated disregard for others, while pitiless implies a lack of empathy or compassion. Ruthless is more intense and can describe a broader pattern of behavior, while pitiless is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
