unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ 

1

: not merciful or forbearing : hard, ruthless

an unsparing satire

an unsparing critic

2

: not frugal : liberal, profuse

unsparing generosity

unsparingly

ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bighearted
• bounteous
• bountiful
• charitable
• free
• freehanded
• freehearted
• fulsome
• generous
• liberal
• munificent
• open
• openhanded
• unselfish
• unstinting

Examples of unsparing in a Sentence

neighbors were unsparing in their charity when a local family was rendered homeless by a fire

unsparing in his criticism of the welfare state

Recent Examples on the Web

Ultimately, the hope of slipping an unsparing portrayal of domestic extremism—produced outside of the Hollywood studio system—into the December award season is to reintroduce a discussion of radicalization to American society. —Ali Winston, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

Lucy Grealy was an unsparing observer of human physiognomy. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2024

The unsparing remarks quickly drew attention on China’s social media including Weibo, where videos and transcripts of Gao’s speech have been trending. —Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 3 Dec. 2024

Things get even darker from there as the story unfolds in a frank and unsparing style. —John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 16 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ 

-ˈspe(ə)r-,

ˈən-

1

: not merciful or forgiving : hard, ruthless

unsparing attacks

2

: not stingy : liberal

unsparing in their gifts to charity

unsparingly adverb