1. Grim(严峻的) 核心意象:死亡使者(grim reaper)般的压迫感 用法特点: -- 强调令人窒息的压抑氛围(grim silence/truth) -- 常修饰具体名词(grim expression/landscape) -- 隐含"不祥的"意味(grim omen) 例:The doctor delivered the grim prognosis with clinical detachment.
2. Implacable(不可平息的) 词源:plaque(安抚)+否定前缀 用法特点: -- 描述无法被劝解的态度(implacable hostility) -- 多用于抽象概念(implacable logic of war) -- 文学性强,常见于古典文本 例:Her implacable opposition to the reform baffled her colleagues.
3. Relentless(持续不断的) 核心意象:机械般的持续运作 用法特点: -- 强调动作的持续性(relentless pursuit) -- 中性偏贬,可修饰自然现象(relentless rain) -- 现代商业用语中可转义为"不懈的"(褒义) 例:The relentless ticking of the clock exacerbated her insomnia.
4. Unrelenting(不松懈的) 与relentless的区别: -- 更强调主观意志(unrelenting determination) -- 多用于人为努力(unrelenting efforts) -- 在医学语境特指"不缓解的"(unrelenting pain) 例:His unrelenting focus on details perfected the design.
5. Merciless(残忍的) 词源:mercy(仁慈)+否定后缀 用法特点: -- 直接指向施暴行为(merciless beating) -- 常与感官词汇搭配(merciless glare/sun) -- 戏剧化表达(the merciless hands of fate) 例:The merciless曝光 of the scandal ruined his reputation.