German word

gnadenlos

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgnaːdənˌloːs/

Meaning

  • adjectivemerciless

Example

Dieser Gegner ist gnadenloser als der andere.

This opponent is more merciless than the other one.

Illustration for gnadenlos (merciless)

More examples

Die Polizei setzte die gnadenlose Jagd nach dem Täter fort.

The police continued the merciless hunt for the perpetrator.

Core concept

A cold, unyielding hand that pursues its aim without softening its treatment of anyone in the way.

Common phrases

  • gnadenlose Jagd

    merciless hunt

  • gnadenloser Kampf

    merciless battle

Similar words

rücksichtslos: Ignoring other people's feelings or interests to serve personal aims.
unerbittlich: Maintaining strict demands or methods until the very end.
erbarmungslos: Treating suffering or weakness with cold indifference.
kompromisslos: Making no concessions in negotiations or to the other side's wishes.

Definition in German

Jemand oder etwas, das keinerlei Nachsicht zeigt und hart vorgeht.

Word origin

The adjective is formed from the German noun Gnade and the productive suffix -los, which forms words meaning without the stated quality.

Usage tips

  • English mercilessly is an adverb, but German uses the related adjective adverbially, as in gnadenlos handeln or gnadenlos gewinnen.

Other meanings

  • ruthlessadjective
  • mercilesslyadverb

Opposites

  • gnädigmercifuladjective

Related words

  • Gnadenlosigkeitmercilessnessnoun

Word lists with this word