English

remorselessly

gb/ɹˈɛmɚsələsli/ us/ɹˈɛmɚsələsli/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
adverb formal C1 property
1

in a relentless, unstopping way

without stopping or becoming less strong

Usage pattern: [something] moves/continues [remorselessly]
Common mistake:
Learners may use it where simple "continuously" fits; "remorselessly" usually adds a sense of harshness or inevitability.
Synonyms
relentlessly (Most direct, neutral synonym.) | inexorably (Emphasizes inevitability, often about processes or events.) | unstoppably (Emphasizes that nothing can halt it.)
Antonyms
intermittently (Happening with breaks rather than continuously.) | sporadically (Occurring irregularly, not relentlessly.)
Collocations
remorselessly onward |remorselessly forward |remorselessly continues |remorselessly pursued |remorselessly driven |remorselessly efficient |remorselessly exposed |remorselessly hot |remorselessly logical |remorselessly advancing
Themes
time |change |intensity
Examples
  • The rain fell remorselessly all afternoon.
  • Prices have risen remorselessly over the past year.
  • The investigation moved remorselessly toward its conclusion.
Learner examples
  • The sun beat down remorselessly.
  • The clock ticked remorselessly.
adverb formal C1 property
2

in a merciless, pitiless way

in a cruel way, without pity

Usage pattern: [someone] is remorselessly [verb-ed] / [someone] remorselessly [verbs] [someone]
Common mistake:
Often confused with "ruthlessly"; both can fit, but "remorselessly" can highlight lack of pity or regret.
Synonyms
mercilessly (Focuses on lack of mercy.) | pitilessly (Emphasizes absence of pity.) | ruthlessly (Often stresses determination and hard self-interest as well as cruelty.)
Antonyms
mercifully (With compassion or willingness to spare.) | kindly (With kindness rather than cruelty.) | compassionately (With empathy and concern.)
Collocations
remorselessly attacked |remorselessly criticized |remorselessly mocked |remorselessly bullied |remorselessly exploited |remorselessly beaten |remorselessly punished |remorselessly crushed |remorselessly hunted |remorselessly interrogated
Themes
emotions |conflict |violence |social_issues
Examples
  • Online trolls remorselessly targeted the actor for months.
  • The coach remorselessly criticized every mistake during practice.
  • The dictator’s forces remorselessly crushed the protests.
Learner examples
  • He was remorselessly cruel to his employees.
  • They remorselessly attacked their rivals.
adverb formal C2 property
3

without regret or guilty feeling

without feeling sorry for what you did

Usage pattern: [someone] remorselessly [does something harmful]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with "remorsefully" (rare); "remorselessly" means the opposite: no remorse.
Synonyms
unrepentantly (Directly means without repentance or regret.) | shamelessly (Adds a sense of openly, with no embarrassment.) | without regret (More neutral phrase; less intense than "remorselessly".)
Antonyms
regretfully (With regret about the action.) | apologetically (Showing you feel you were wrong.)
Collocations
remorselessly lied |remorselessly cheated |remorselessly betrayed |remorselessly manipulated |remorselessly deceived |remorselessly stole
Themes
emotions |morality |crime
Examples
  • He remorselessly deceived investors and never admitted wrongdoing.
  • She remorselessly betrayed friends who had helped her.
  • The scammer remorselessly took advantage of vulnerable people.
Learner examples
  • He lied remorselessly.
  • She acted remorselessly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
remorselessly
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛmɚsələsli/
US/ɹˈɛmɚsələsli/
Syllables & stress
re - morse - lessly (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: remorselessly
  • Plural: remorselesslies
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

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