"Relentlessly" vs. "mercilessly": two sides of pursuit
Reviewed and edited by
Lloyd Cooper 01/10/2024, 20:42
English.me team member

What is similar?
Both adverbs convey a sense of persistence and a lack of stopping or giving up.
What is different?
Relentlessly implies persistence regardless of obstacles, while mercilessly adds a sense of brutality or lack of compassion.
Which one is more common?

Examples of usage
Relentlessly- She worked relentlessly to reach her goals.
- The rain fell relentlessly for hours.
- The army attacked mercilessly, leaving no survivors.
- He was criticized mercilessly by his opponents.