relentlessly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relentlessly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is done with persistent intensity or without giving up. Example: "She pursued her goals relentlessly, never allowing obstacles to deter her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Busby is on the brink of 60, a Scot whose considered, relentlessly specific use of words rides easily on wayward grammar.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the sort of conversation that activists must expect to have in a society such as ours, which spies so relentlessly on its own citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Direct and aggressive, they relentlessly targeted their opponents' weakness at left-back.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think we should feel we have to be relentlessly funny," Mitchell adds.

The Guardian

Even so, look at how relentlessly iTunes gets updated, even when there's no real change: nine updates in 2014.

The Guardian - Tech

By unleashing the dynamism of the market, the economic rationalists of the 80s relentlessly dissolved established traditions and old hierarchies, a destruction that sometimes enabled a faux neoliberal populism.

The Guardian - Opinion

At some point, however, enough people came round to Lee's wilfully smart, relentlessly provocative routines.

The Guardian

Onstage, she's relentlessly scathing about her own appearance, though without ever straying into self-pity, while her sketches exist in an unforgiving world where women are judged fiercely for their looks and behaviour and often humiliated as a result ("I'm kind of putting myself through living a nightmare," is how she describes it).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The paper has campaigned relentlessly against the EU ever since.

The Guardian

Alexandre Desplat's tinkly score does a lot to mask it, but Tom Hooper's direction is relentlessly angular and odd.

The Guardian - Film

Of course programmes are formulaic, and of course ratings are relentlessly pursued, and of course they are regarded as the measure of value when the criteria are set by a senior management that has been recruited from such places as the marketing department of Coca-Cola, a product that has always to be the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relentlessly" to convey a sense of unwavering persistence or intensity in an action. It effectively emphasizes the continuous and determined nature of the effort being described.

Common error

Avoid using "relentlessly" too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, its intensity can sound overly dramatic or formal in everyday settings. Choose a milder synonym like "constantly" or "frequently" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "relentlessly" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing the intensity, persistence, and unwavering nature of the action or quality being described. Ludwig shows numerous examples where "relentlessly" strengthens the impact of the verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relentlessly" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize the persistent and intense nature of actions or qualities. As noted by Ludwig, the examples span diverse contexts, including news, business, and science, confirming its broad applicability. While grammatically correct, its intensity suggests that more neutral synonyms may be more appropriate depending on the context. Given its frequent use in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist, writers can confidently use "relentlessly" to add emphasis and convey determination. However, be aware it should not be overused in colloquial speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unceasingly

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the action without interruption, similar to "relentlessly".

persistently

Highlights the repetitive and determined nature of the action, akin to "relentlessly".

tirelessly

Focuses on the effort and lack of rest in pursuing something, similar to the unwavering aspect of "relentlessly".

doggedly

Implies a stubborn and unwavering pursuit, sharing the determined aspect of "relentlessly".

incessantly

Highlights the constant and uninterrupted nature of an action, close to the continuous sense of "relentlessly".

unremittingly

Underscores the lack of pause or relief in the action, similar to the unyielding nature of "relentlessly".

determinedly

Emphasizes the firmness of purpose behind the action, mirroring the focused aspect of "relentlessly".

vigorously

Focuses on the energetic and forceful manner of the action, akin to the intensity conveyed by "relentlessly".

assiduously

Implies diligent and persistent effort, similar to the dedicated aspect of "relentlessly".

tenaciously

Highlights the quality of holding firmly to a goal or pursuit, mirroring the unwavering characteristic of "relentlessly".

FAQs

How can I use "relentlessly" in a sentence?

"Relentlessly" is an adverb that describes doing something in a persistent and determined manner. For example, "The lawyer "relentlessly" questioned the witness" or "The company "relentlessly" pursued market share."

What are some alternatives to "relentlessly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unceasingly", "persistently", or "tirelessly".

Is it correct to use "relentlessly" in both positive and negative situations?

Yes, "relentlessly" can be used in both positive and negative contexts. It simply emphasizes the intensity and persistence of the action, regardless of whether the outcome is desirable or undesirable. For example: "She "relentlessly" pursued her dreams" (positive) or "The storm raged "relentlessly"" (negative).

What's the difference between "relentlessly" and "ruthlessly"?

"Relentlessly" emphasizes persistence and determination, while "ruthlessly" implies a lack of compassion or consideration for others. You can pursue something "relentlessly" without being "ruthlessly" if you are mindful of the consequences.