unrelenting

adjective

un·​re·​lent·​ing ˌən-ri-ˈlen-tiŋ 

1

: not softening or yielding in determination : hard, stern

an unrelenting leader

2

: not letting up or weakening in vigor or pace : constant

the unrelenting struggle

unrelentingly

ˌən-ri-ˈlen-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• adamant
• adamantine
• bullheaded
• dogged
• hard
• hard-nosed
• hardened
• hardheaded
• headstrong
• immovable
• implacable
• inconvincible
• inflexible
• intransigent
• mulish
• obdurate
• obstinate
• opinionated
• ossified
• pat
• pertinacious
• perverse
• pigheaded
• self-opinionated
• self-willed
• stiff-necked
• stubborn
• unbending
• uncompromising
• unyielding
• willful
• wilful

Examples of unrelenting in a Sentence

that professor tends to be unrelenting about deadlines

unrelenting in the pursuit of equality for all races

Recent Examples on the Web

For the past two years, the Boston Celtics defined the direction of the NBA with their endless versatility and unrelenting desire to shoot the 3. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 May 2025

The unrelenting crises in the emergency room was the engine that kept it running for 331 episodes. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Every team needs an unrelenting leader, someone who fights and cusses and protects its stars, who provides the force so others can deliver the finesse. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2025

Three Navy SEALs leave their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with treatment-resistant, unrelenting psychological pain. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unrelenting

• circumventing
• complementing
• complimenting
• implementing
• orienting
• reinventing
• representing
• assenting
• augmenting
• cementing
• consenting
• contenting

Kids Definition

unrelenting

adjective

un·​re·​lent·​ing ˌən-ri-ˈlent-iŋ 

1

: not softening or giving in easily : hard, stern

2

: not letting up or weakening in energy or pace

our unrelenting struggle for freedom

unrelentingly adverb