relentless

adjective

re·​lent·​less ri-ˈlent-ləs 

: showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength, or pace : unrelenting

relentless pressure

a relentless campaign

relentlessly adverb

relentlessness noun

Synonyms of relentless

• grim
• determined
• persistent
• unrelenting
• ruthless

Examples of relentless in a Sentence

Her relentless optimism held the team together.

The hunter was relentless in pursuit of his prey.

a relentless opponent of deregulation

Recent Examples on the Web

When Yoon was in office, Kim was embroiled in a series of scandals that hurt her husband’s approval rating and provided relentless political ammunition to his rivals. —ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026

Through lengthy monologues, intense fight sequences, and the relentless malleability of both his body and voice, Brody vividly portrays Yarris from a small child to a middle-aged man. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Kay seems to be more of a relentless romantic than a hopeless one. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026

The couple has built a strong network with restaurant peers who view themselves as collaborators rather than competitors, despite relentless challenges. —Kit Warchol, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

relentless

adjective

re·​lent·​less ri-ˈlent-ləs 

: not lessening in severity, intensity, strength, or pace : unrelenting

relentless criticism

relentlessly adverb

relentlessness noun