ruthless

ruthless

ruth‧less /ˈruːθləs/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: ruth 'pity' (12-19 centuries), from rue]
1. so determined to get what you want that you do not care if you have to hurt other people in order to do it:
a ruthless dictator
They have shown a ruthless disregard for basic human rights.
2. determined and firm when making unpleasant decisions:
He ran the company with ruthless efficiency.
Throw away clothes you don’t wear – be ruthless.
—ruthlessly adverb:
The uprising was ruthlessly suppressed.
—ruthlessness noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
▪ determined if you are determined to do something, you have decided that you are definitely going to do it, and you will not let anything stop you. Determined is also used about someone’s character, when they usually behave in this way: I was determined to be a doctor. | She’s a very determined woman.
▪ stubborn determined not to change what you are doing, especially when other people think you are behaving in an unreasonable way. Stubborn is often used when you disapprove of someone. It is also sometimes used when you admire them: I wish you would stop being so stubborn! | Churchill’s stubborn refusal to surrender
▪ single-minded someone who is single-minded works very hard in order to achieve one particular thing, and thinks that everything else is much less important: During a war, a leader must be single-minded and, if necessary, ruthless. | her single-minded pursuit of power
▪ tough /tʌf/ determined to succeed, even if a situation is difficult or frightening: In competitive sports, it is as important to be mentally tough as it is to be physically fit. | Gorelick is known as a tough manager.
▪ firm showing by your behaviour that you are determined not to change your mind, especially when you are telling someone what to do: What this country needs is firm leadership. | You have to be firm with young children.
▪ feisty determined and full of energy, and not afraid to say what you think and argue with people - used especially when you admire this person. Feisty is often used about women: In the film she plays a feisty young woman who is smarter than all the men put together. | a feisty kid with a mind of his own | the city’s feisty mayor
▪ headstrong determined to do what you want, without listening to other people’s advice or thinking about the results of your actions - used especially about young people: Her sister was headstrong and impulsive, and made a point of going out whenever and wherever she liked.
▪ resolute formal doing something in a very determined way because you have very strong beliefs, aims etc: the soldiers’ resolute defence of the town
▪ tenacious formal determined and refusing to give up: McTaggart was seen by many in the environment movement as a tenacious hero. | his tenacious grip on power
▪ dogged [only before noun] dogged behaviour shows that you are very determined and that you will not give up - used especially in the following phrases: dogged determination/persistence/resistance/refusal: The team played with dogged determination. | his dogged refusal to admit defeat | the dogged persistence of the defenders
▪ persistent continuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it: If you want to get a job, you have to be persistent. Don’t give up.
▪ strong-willed always very determined to do what you want to do, even if other people think it is not a good idea to do it: She has always been a strong-willed child.
▪ ruthless /ˈruːθləs/ someone who is ruthless is so determined to get what they want, that they do not care if they harm other people: a ruthless dictator | He was ruthless in his ambition.
▪ mean business to be determined to do something and show other people that you are determined to do it, even if it involves harming someone: The one-day strike proved that the union meant business.