pitiless
gb/pˈɪtiləs/ us/pˈɪtiləs/
C1
English
~ 9900
kegyetlen, könyörtelen, kíméletlen
C1
LITERARY
1
kegyetlen
B1
könyörtelen
B2
Usage pattern:
a pitiless [person/leader/action/decision]
The pitiless dictator ordered the prisoners to be executed without a second thought.
A kegyetlen diktátor habozás nélkül elrendelte a foglyok kivégzését.
Her pitiless response to their plea for help shocked everyone in the room.
A segítségkérésükre adott kegyetlen válasza mindenkit megdöbbentett a teremben.
The novel follows a pitiless killer who feels nothing for his victims.
He was a pitiless negotiator, squeezing every last concession from his opponents.
The refugees faced a pitiless system that turned them away again and again.
Learner examples
The pitiless soldier did not help the crying child.
A kegyetlen katona nem segített a síró gyereknek.
People called the boss pitiless because he fired workers very easily.
Az emberek kegyetlennek nevezték a főnököt, mert nagyon könnyen kirúgta a dolgozókat.
In the story, a pitiless king makes his people work day and night.
Her pitiless words made the boy feel very small.
The thief was pitiless and hit the old man to take his money.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pitiless" with "pitiful." "Pitiless" describes someone who does not feel pity. "Pitiful" usually means something is so sad or weak that it makes you feel pity, or informally that something is very bad or poor. Another mistake is spelling it as *pityless* instead of the correct *pitiless*.
Meaning
showing no pity or mercy
Collocations
pitiless dictator
|pitiless regime
|pitiless cruelty
|pitiless eyes
|pitiless efficiency
|pitiless war
Synonyms
merciless (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday modern use than "pitiless.")
|
ruthless (Emphasizes not caring about the damage done while pursuing goals, especially in business or power struggles.)
|
heartless (Sounds more emotional and judgmental, often used in everyday speech about cold, unkind behavior.)
|
cruel (Focuses on enjoying or deliberately causing suffering, not just lacking pity.)
Antonyms
compassionate (Describes someone who feels others’ suffering and wants to help, the opposite of being pitiless.)
|
merciful (Stresses choosing kindness or forgiveness when you could punish or be harsh.)
Themes
emotions
|character
|conflict
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not feeling or showing any pity or kindness to people who are hurt, weak, or in trouble.
Completely lacking pity or mercy toward people who are suffering, and willing to let harm continue without compassion.
C1
LITERARY
2
könyörtelen
B2
kíméletlen
B2
Usage pattern:
pitiless [sun/weather/winter/schedule/logic]
They marched for hours under the pitiless sun with no shade in sight.
Órákig meneteltek a könyörtelen nap alatt, és sehol sem volt árnyék.
The climbers battled pitiless winds that cut through their thick jackets.
A hegymászók könyörtelen szelekkel küzdöttek, amelyek áthatoltak a vastag kabátjukon.
In this city’s housing market, the pitiless logic of profit leaves many people homeless.
The desert’s pitiless heat made every step feel dangerous.
She worked under a pitiless schedule that allowed her almost no sleep.
Learner examples
We walked all day in the pitiless sun.
Egész nap a könyörtelen napsütésben gyalogoltunk.
The pitiless winter killed many of the farmer’s animals.
A könyörtelen tél a gazda sok állatát elpusztította.
The exam system is pitiless and gives students no second chance.
Strong, pitiless wind blew against the small boat.
Life in the desert is pitiless and very hard.
Meaning
harsh and unrelenting (of things)
Collocations
pitiless sun
|pitiless heat
|pitiless winter
|pitiless wind
|pitiless schedule
|pitiless logic
Synonyms
relentless (Very close meaning for conditions or pressure, but does not always carry the emotional sense of cruelty that "pitiless" has.)
|
harsh (More general and common; can describe sounds, words, or conditions and is less emotionally loaded than "pitiless.")
|
unyielding (Focuses on not bending or softening; slightly more formal and less emotional than "pitiless.")
Antonyms
mild (Opposite for weather and conditions, suggesting gentle and not severe.)
|
forgiving (Used metaphorically for things like terrain, schedules, or systems that allow for mistakes or give some relief.)
Themes
nature
|hardship
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very hard and cruel in effect, not giving any rest, help, or kindness.
Describing conditions, forces, or systems that are extremely harsh, severe, and unrelenting, giving no relief or ease.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pitiless
IPA
GB/pˈɪtiləs/
US/pˈɪtiləs/
Syllables & stress
piti - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (piti)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pitiless
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.