unforgiving

adjective

un·​for·​giv·​ing ˌən-fər-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce unforgiving (audio)
1
: unwilling or unable to forgive
2
: having or making no allowance for error or weakness
an unforgiving environment where false moves can prove fatalJaclyn Fierman
unforgivingness noun

Examples of unforgiving in a Sentence

They are unforgiving of the smallest mistake. the unforgiving world of politics
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The story tells the tragedy of circumstance, geography, parents and unforgiving history. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025 The tale begins in the dead of night on July 30, 1945, when the USS Indianapolis was struck by two Japanese torpedoes in the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 If all of that was a corrective for policies past, the working class proved to be in an unforgiving mood in November. Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025 Set in the late 1800s against the unforgiving backdrop of Iceland’s Westfjords, the film follows a crew of fishermen who begin to reckon with the fact that nature is gaining ground on them after a punishing winter. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unforgiving 

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unforgiving was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near unforgiving

Cite this Entry

“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unforgiving

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!