relentlessly
relentlessly は英検1級レベルの英単語で、「容赦なく、絶え間なく、執拗に、たゆまず」という意味があります。発音記号は /rɪˈlɛntləsliː/ です。
意味一覧 (3件)
容赦なく
解説 Definition
容赦なくは、妥協せず、決して止まらない様子です。厳しく、情け容赦のない態度や行動を表します。
Relentlessly means in a way that never stops, never becomes weaker, and shows no mercy or rest. It is used for actions, pressure, effort, or criticism that continue strongly over time. Depending on the context, it can describe something admirable or something harsh.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
この「容赦なく」の relentlessly は、相手や対象に手加減をしない厳しさを表す用法として覚えます。relent は「態度をやわらげる」、-less は「〜がない」なので、relentless は「情けや手加減でゆるまない」、relentlessly は「手加減せずに」。基本義の「絶え間なく、執拗に」は継続性が中心ですが、このエントリでは criticism, attack, push などで相手に休む余地を与えない厳しさに注目します。
Start with `relentless`: `-less` means without, so it suggests no softening and no pause. Then `-ly` makes it an adverb: doing something in that hard, nonstop way. `Relentlessly` is stronger than just `continuously` because it adds pressure and intensity. Remember phrases like `work relentlessly` or `pursue relentlessly`.
例文
The rain fell relentlessly for three days straight.
雨は容赦なく3日間ずっと降り続きました。
The coach pushed the athletes relentlessly to improve.
コーチはアスリートを容赦なく改善へと追い込んだ。
The criticism came relentlessly from all directions.
批判は容赦なくあらゆる方向から来ました。
絶え間なく、執拗に
(意味 2)解説 Definition
relentlessly は、行動・努力・圧力・追跡などが弱まらず長く続く様子を表します。仕事や練習を粘り強く続ける良い文脈にも、雨や批判がしつこく続く文脈にも使われます。
Relentlessly describes an action, effort, pressure, or pursuit that continues for a long time without becoming weaker. It can be used in a positive way for steady hard work or practice, and also in a negative way for things like rain, criticism, or attacks that do not stop. The word often suggests not only continuity but also strong force or intensity.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
relent は「態度や勢いをゆるめる」という動詞で、-less は「〜がない」、-ly は副詞を作ります。つまり relentlessly は「ゆるむことなく」という発想から、「絶え間なく、執拗に」と覚えると自然です。continuously は単に続くこと、persistently は粘り強さ、relentlessly はそれに加えて勢い・圧力が落ちない感じがあります。別エントリの「容赦なく」は厳しさの側面に寄った意味です。
Think of relent as "become less strong or less severe." Add -less, meaning "without," and -ly, and relentlessly gives the idea of "without becoming softer or weaker." This is why it means continuing without letup, often with steady force or pressure.
例文
She worked relentlessly to improve her English before the exam.
彼女は試験前に英語力を伸ばそうと絶え間なく努力した。
The media relentlessly questioned the actor about the scandal.
メディアはその不祥事についてその俳優を執拗に追及した。
Rain fell relentlessly through the night, flooding several roads by morning.
雨が夜通し絶え間なく降り、朝までにいくつかの道路が冠水した。
たゆまず
(意味 3)解説 Definition
目標の達成や問題の追究のために、途中で力を緩めず、たゆまず続ける様子を表す。努力・練習・調査・追跡などに使われ、しつこいほどの粘り強さを含むことが多い。『容赦なく』のような冷酷さより、持続性と執念に焦点がある。
Relentlessly describes doing something with steady effort and without letting up until a goal is reached or a problem is fully pursued. It is often used for work, practice, investigation, or pursuit that continues with strong pressure and determination. The word usually suggests persistence that can feel intense or even exhausting, rather than simple repetition. It focuses more on not easing off than on being cruel or merciless.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
relent を「折れる・手をゆるめる」と知ると、relentless は「ゆるまない」、relentlessly は「ゆるめずに」と捉えやすいです。-less は「〜がない」、-ly は副詞。単なる repeatedly「何度も」や continuously「ずっと」より、相手に休む余地を与えず、圧力や勢いが落ちない感じが強い語。relentlessly pursue a goal, work relentlessly, criticize relentlessly などで頻出。restlessly「落ち着きなく」と形が少し似るので混同注意。
If you know that relent means "soften" or "ease up," relentlessly becomes easier to understand: it means "without easing up." The suffix -less means "without," and -ly makes it an adverb. It is stronger than repeatedly or continuously because it suggests pressure, force, or determination that does not weaken. Be careful not to confuse it with restlessly, which is about being unable to stay calm or still.
例文
She worked relentlessly to improve her English before the exam.
彼女は試験前に英語力を伸ばすため、たゆまず努力した。
The reporters relentlessly investigated the cause of the accident.
記者たちは事故の原因をたゆまず追究した。
He relentlessly pursued his goal, even when others told him to give up.
周囲に諦めろと言われても、彼は目標をたゆまず追い続けた。
relentlessly の語源・成り立ち Etymology
relentlesslyはrelent「態度をやわらげる」に-lyが付いた語で、さらにラテン語lentus「柔らかい・しなやかな」にさかのぼります。つまり本来は「柔らかくならずに」が核で、relentやlentoにも“ゆるむ・やわらぐ”感覚が見えます。
Relentlessly comes from relentless, based on relent, plus the adverb ending -ly. Relent goes back to Latin lentus, meaning "soft" or "flexible," so the deeper idea is about becoming softer or less severe. Relentlessly therefore developed the sense of not softening or easing at all.
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