Words / C1

ri-LENTL-uh-s/rɪˈlentləs/

Relentless means it does not ease off: relentless rain, relentless questioning. Persistent (already in the dictionary) can be admirable; relentless often stresses no mercy or no pause. Relent is the verb (the rain relented). Constant is everyday. Do not call a single loud hour relentless.

Meaning

Not stopping or becoming less intense.

Examples

• “Relentless drizzle ruined the outdoor speaking test.”
• “Relentless drip from the roof wrecked the archive boxes, not one storm.”
• “A relentless inbox is volume plus no let-up; a busy Tuesday is not the word.”

Good to know

Does not ease off. Verb: relent. Close: persistent (can be praise). Everyday: constant. Not a brief burst.

Near in meaning

unceasing

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