pitiless
UK: ˈpɪtɪlɪs | US: ˈpɪtɪlɪs
adj. showing no pity or compassion; merciless
adj. incapable of being moved by suffering; unfeeling
The word pitiless combines pity (compassion) with the negating suffix -less, creating a term that literally means "without pity." Its evolution reflects the straightforward Germanic practice of attaching -less to nouns to form adjectives denoting absence. The root pity traces back to Latin pietas, which originally implied duty or devotion but narrowed to "compassion" in Old French.
The pitiless dictator ignored the pleas of his starving people.
Her pitiless criticism left him feeling utterly defeated.
The pitiless sun beat down on the desert travelers.
Nature can be pitiless in its indifference to human suffering.
His pitiless gaze made it clear he would not forgive the betrayal.