have no pity

USAGE SUMMARY

'have no pity' is a valid phrase used in written English and can be utilized in many contexts.
For example, one might say, "The villain had committed so many heinous atrocities that the prosecutor addressed the jury with the call to 'have no pity' for the accused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I have no pity for you".

The Guardian

Philippe is warned that banlieue youths have "no pity".

The Economist

"You care for him, Eileen, Jamiee said, "but you have no pity for him.

The New Yorker

People are more aware of you, more critical, and they have no pity for one's mistakes and stupidities.

The New Yorker

But when she ponders the second: "I feel tainted and disgusted, and I want to live in order to see them all caught and have no pity for them".

The New Yorker

Far more conservative now than she was in her flaming youth, she claims to have no pity for the frail younger self who had "the morals of a 4-year-old" and "had been ready to live off the written words of someone else".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"He had no pity for my whining".

The New York Times

Quite frankly, I had no pity for her.

The Guardian - Books

He had no pity, no compassion, no understanding of what the victims of war suffered.

The Guardian - Film

I want to make clear that al Zawahiri had no pity for the suffering that Shiites had to carry on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Don't be having no pity for me," he once said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have no pity" to express a firm stance against showing leniency, particularly when discussing justice, consequences, or moral choices. Ensure the context clearly indicates why pity is being withheld.

Common error

Avoid using "have no pity" when the situation calls for understanding, kindness, or support. Using it inappropriately can make you appear insensitive or cruel. Consider whether compassion is more appropriate before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have no pity" functions primarily as a declarative statement expressing a lack of compassion or empathy. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its use in contexts where leniency is deliberately withheld.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have no pity" is a declarative statement that expresses a lack of compassion or mercy. Ludwig AI demonstrates its presence in various contexts, primarily in news and media and academia, reflecting its use in both reporting and analytical discussions. While grammatically correct, it carries a strong implication of withholding sympathy. The phrase is best used to convey a firm stance but should be avoided when empathy is more appropriate. Related phrases include "show no mercy" and "feel no compassion". Its frequency is classified as uncommon, highlighting its deliberate use in specific scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show no mercy

Emphasizes a lack of leniency or forgiveness.

feel no compassion

Directly expresses the absence of compassionate feelings.

lack sympathy

Highlights a deficiency in sympathetic feelings towards someone.

be without remorse

Focuses on the absence of regret or guilt.

be unsympathetic

Describes a general disposition of lacking empathy.

not care at all

Indicates a complete lack of concern or interest.

remain indifferent

Suggests a neutral or detached attitude.

be callous

Describes a hardened and insensitive attitude.

harden one's heart

Indicates a deliberate act of becoming unfeeling.

be merciless

Emphasizes a lack of kindness or gentleness.

FAQs

How can I use "have no pity" in a sentence?

You can use "have no pity" to express a lack of compassion or mercy towards someone or something, such as: "The judge declared they "have no pity" for criminals who exploit vulnerable people."

What's a less harsh alternative to "have no pity"?

If you want to express a similar sentiment with less intensity, consider using phrases like "show no mercy", "lack sympathy", or "feel no compassion".

Is it ever appropriate to "have no pity"?

It might be appropriate when dealing with individuals who have shown a complete disregard for others or when enforcing rules or laws where leniency would undermine justice. However, always consider the ethical implications.

What's the difference between "have no pity" and "have no remorse"?

"Have no pity" means to lack compassion, while "have no remorse" means to feel no guilt or regret. You can "have no pity" for someone while still acknowledging their humanity, but if you have no remorse, you don't regret your actions.