different between monstrous vs merciless

English

Etymology

From Middle English monstrous, from Old French monstrueuse, monstrüos, from Latin m?nstr?sus. Compare monstruous.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m?nst??s/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?nst??s/
• Hyphenation: mon?strous

Adjective

monstrous (comparative more monstrous, superlative most monstrous)

1. Hideous or frightful.
2. Enormously large.

   a monstrous height
3. Freakish or grotesque.

   • The irregular and monstrous births

   • 1650, Jeremy Taylor, The rule and exercises of holy living

     He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he is bound to love […] is unnatural and monstrous in his affections.

4. Of, or relating to a mythical monster; full of monsters.
5. (obsolete) Marvellous; exceedingly strange; fantastical.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:gigantic

Translations

Middle English

Adjective

monstrous

1. Alternative form of monstruous

English

Etymology

From Middle English merciles, mercyles, equivalent to mercy +? -less.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m??s?l?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m?s?l?s/

Adjective

merciless (comparative more merciless, superlative most merciless)

1. Showing no mercy; cruel and pitiless.

Synonyms

• unmerciful
• cruel
• pitiless
• ruthless

Derived terms

• mercilessly
• mercilessness

Translations

Anagrams

• crimeless