How to pronounce merciless
Say it like MUR-suh-lus. Merciless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce merciless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUR
- suh
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Merciless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of merciless
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MUR-sih-lus.
What does merciless mean?
- Showing no mercy; cruel and pitiless.
Where does merciless come from?
From Middle English merciles, mercyles, equivalent to mercy + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying merciless
How do you pronounce merciless?
Say MUR-suh-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɝsələs/. In British English it is /ˈmɜːsɪləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in merciless?
Merciless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUR). Broken into parts: MUR · suh · lus.
Is merciless pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɜːsɪləs/ (MUR-sih-lus).