ruthless determination

USAGE SUMMARY

"ruthless determination" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically refers to someone's unwavering, hard-hearted commitment to achieving a goal, often at the expense of others. Example: Despite facing numerous obstacles and criticisms, she persisted with ruthless determination to become the youngest CEO in the company's history.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Howard's seeming blandness disguised his ruthless determination radically to reshape Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Norby's manipulative matriarch is a portrait of ruthless determination carved in ice.

The New York Times

For many early doubters about his leadership qualities, that ruthless determination to do whatever it took to succeed offered hope.

Independent

And UConn's ruthless determination is on permanent scholarship, as evidenced in Monday's gritty 68-58 victory against third-ranked Stanford.

The New York Times - Sports

Best of all is Tom Wilkinson as Joe, whose ambition and ruthless determination bind the saga together.

Independent

As in many towns across Tibet, protests against Chinese occupation during Beijing's Olympic year were suppressed with ruthless determination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We wait to see whether a new leader is ready to respond with the same cautious, expedient, ruthless, populist determination as she did when her moment came.

Independent

"The Republicans were more organized and motivated, and also more ruthless, in their determination to win.

The New York Times - Books

Despite the old school tie image, no other club has been so ruthless in its determination to snap up emerging talent.

The Guardian - Sport

And Paris has been ruthless in its determination to put its nationals in charge of everything from the I.M.F. to the European Central Bank.

The New York Times

The insurgent Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) was ruthless in its determination to be the sole representative of Algerian nationalism, willing to kill and maim not just French settlers but also the rival nationalists of Messali Hadj's Mouvement National Algérien.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruthless determination", be aware of the potential negative connotations. Use it when you want to emphasize a strong, unwavering commitment that might involve difficult or harsh actions.

Common error

While "ruthless determination" can be effective, overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or negative. Consider using synonyms like "unwavering commitment" or "relentless pursuit" for a more balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ruthless determination" functions as a noun phrase, with "ruthless" modifying "determination". According to Ludwig AI, it commonly describes unwavering commitment, often at the expense of others. The examples illustrate its use in depicting characters, strategies, and historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Sports

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruthless determination" is a commonly used phrase to describe an unwavering and often harsh commitment to achieving a goal. As Ludwig AI suggests, this commitment can sometimes involve disregard for others. The phrase is grammatically correct and its frequency is categorized as very common, primarily appearing in news and media sources. While the word "ruthless" can have negative connotations, the phrase maintains a neutral register overall. When using this phrase, consider the potential negative implications and whether a more neutral alternative like "unwavering commitment" might be more appropriate. The authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist further validate the phrase's widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

callous determination

Replaces "ruthless" with "callous", emphasizing indifference to suffering caused by the determination.

savage determination

Substitutes "ruthless" with "savage", highlighting the ferocity and intensity of the determination.

relentless determination

Replaces "ruthless" with "relentless", focusing on the continuous and unyielding nature of the determination.

unyielding resolve

Replaces both words with near synonyms. Emphasizes firmness of intention, less on potential harm caused.

fierce ambition

Shifts the focus to ambition, implying a strong desire for success and potential ruthlessness in achieving it.

unwavering commitment

Replaces "ruthless determination" with a focus on steadfast dedication, omitting the potential for harshness.

iron will

Uses a metaphor to describe an inflexible will.

dogged persistence

Highlights perseverance and tenacity, suggesting a determined effort that doesn't give up easily.

single-minded focus

Emphasizes concentration and dedication towards a specific goal, without explicitly mentioning ruthlessness.

unflinching dedication

Replaces "ruthless determination" with steadfast and unwavering devotion, omitting potential harshness.

FAQs

How to use "ruthless determination" in a sentence?

You can use "ruthless determination" to describe someone's unwavering commitment to achieving a goal, as in, "Despite the challenges, she pursued her dreams with "ruthless determination"".

What can I say instead of "ruthless determination"?

You can use alternatives like "relentless determination", "unyielding resolve", or "fierce ambition" depending on the context.

What does "ruthless determination" mean?

"Ruthless determination" signifies an unwavering and often harsh commitment to achieving a goal, disregarding potential obstacles or negative consequences.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as having "ruthless determination"?

It depends on the context. While the phrase accurately describes a strong commitment, it can carry negative connotations. Use it when the situation warrants emphasizing the potential harshness or disregard for others in the pursuit of a goal. Consider alternatives like "unwavering commitment" if a more neutral tone is desired.