Standard Lemma guide

unpitiful

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Without pity; pitiless.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • 1567, William Painter (translator), “Letters of the Emperour Traiane” in The Second Tome of the Palace of Pleasure, London: Nicholas England, [...] the Gods neuer shewed them selues so rigorous, as against a mercilesse and vnpitiful people.
  • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, London: T. Payne & Son and T. Cadell, Volume 3, Book 6, Chapter 1, p. 220, To be sure, I can’t say myself as she was overcomplaisant to make us welcome; but I hope I am above being so unpitiful as for to owe her a grudge for it now she’s so down in the mouth.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: remorseless, spiteful, unpitying, barbarous, bowelless, brutal, compassionless, cruel, demonic, despiteful, diabolic, diabolical, fell, incessive, inclement, inhuman, inhumane, malicious, merciless, nasty, nonhumane, pitiless, rotten, ruthless, sadistic, savage, truculent, unbenevolent, unbenign, unkind, unmerciful, unpitiful

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From un- + pitiful.