relentless

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Never easing, stopping or weakening, even when it is tiring or unpleasant.

   Grammar: Before a noun or after a linking verb: relentless pressure; the rain was relentless.

   Patterns

   • relentless in something
   • relentless pursuit of something

   The relentless rain flooded the street.

   She trained with relentless determination for the marathon.

   The reporter was relentless in questioning the minister.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Showing no mercy and refusing to give way.

   Grammar: Often describes an opponent or enemy: a relentless enemy.

   Patterns

   • a relentless opponent

   The team faced a relentless opponent.

   He was relentless in demanding payment.

   A relentless critic followed her career.

Word forms

Common combinations

relentless pursuit

The relentless pursuit of perfection exhausted him.

relentless pressure

The team kept up relentless pressure.

relentless heat

The relentless heat made walking hard.

relentless pace

The relentless pace of work wore her down.

relentless efforts

Her relentless efforts paid off.

Synonyms and how they differ

persistent

Persistent is neutral and can be mild, while relentless suggests a force that will not ease at all.

unrelenting

Unrelenting is almost identical, but a little more formal.

merciless

Merciless stresses a lack of pity, whereas relentless stresses never stopping.

tireless

Tireless is positive and describes people who work without tiring, not an oppressive force.

Opposites

Word family

relentlessly adverb

in a never-ending way

relentlessness noun

the quality of being relentless

relent verb

to become less severe

unrelenting adjective

not easing

Commonly confused: relentless or restless?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “relentless”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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