What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unmerciful
Example
The unmerciful judge sentenced the defendant to life in prison. [unmerciful: adjective]
Example
The storm was unmerciful, destroying everything in its path. [unmerciful: adjective]
ruthless
Example
The ruthless dictator oppressed his people with an iron fist. [ruthless: adjective]
Example
The company's ruthless policies led to the loss of many jobs. [ruthless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruthless is more commonly used than unmerciful in everyday language. Ruthless is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unmerciful is less common and may be limited to specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unmerciful and ruthless?
Both unmerciful and ruthless are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts. However, ruthless may be more commonly used in informal language as well.