Relentlessly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈlɛntləsli/

Definitions

1. Continuing in a persistent and determined manner without stopping, pausing, or becoming less intense
2. Persisting in an unyielding and determined way without any signs of slowing down or diminishing in intensity
3. Progressing with an unwavering commitment and intensity that shows no reduction or pause in effort

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "relentlessly" is that its core verb once meant something soft and watery. "Relent" came into Middle English from Anglo-Norman "relenter" and "relentir," where it meant "to melt," "to soften," or "to dissolve in water," and it was also used of weather turning cool and moist. The sense of giving way or becoming less harsh grew out of that softening image, as if a hard resolve were slowly melting. The meaning of "relent" was then pulled toward Middle French "ralenter," "ralentir," meaning "to slow down." That French verb is built from "re-," here with an intensifying sense, and "alentir," meaning "to slow," which in turn comes from "lent" ("slow") in Latin "lentus," possibly from a root meaning "pliant" or "soft." So the verb carries both melting and slackening in its history. Adding "-less," meaning "lacking" or "without," gives "relentless," meaning without yielding. The suffix "-ly" then turns it into the adverb, so "relentlessly" describes doing something without any softening or letting up.

Synonyms: unyieldingly, persistently

Antonyms: gently, softly