French Conversation · Level 157
30 words
French word
impitoyable
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃pitwajabl/
Meaning
- adjectivemerciless
Example
Il est impitoyable.
He is merciless.
More examples
Le juge a été impitoyable.
The judge was merciless.
Core concept
A harsh presence that keeps pressing forward without mercy or relief.
Common phrases
un juge impitoyable
a merciless judge
un patron impitoyable
a merciless boss
un ennemi impitoyable
a merciless enemy
Similar words
cruel: Deliberately treating people harshly in a way that causes pain.
inhumain: Lacking human compassion and showing extreme coldness.
sévère: Strict in manner or standards, with no willingness to show mercy.
Definition in French
Qui n'éprouve aucune pitié et agit sans clémence envers quelqu'un ou quelque chose.
Word origin
The word is formed by adding the negative prefix im- to pitoyable, a derivative of pitié, from Latin pietas.
Usage tips
- Applied directly to a person, impitoyable is strongly negative, while rules, criticism, or circumstances can also be described this way.