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.
Hypersonic flight is an unforgiving environment, where the outer skin of glide vehicles must withstand temperatures of 3,000° Fahrenheit. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2025 Desmond Bane had a fantastic year, but he’s been fully disoriented against an unforgiving defense. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article The powerful teachers union on Wednesday ramped up its criticism of New York City’s expansion of standardized curriculum — suggesting the person responsible for the unforgiving mandates should be fired. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 Written and to be directed by Ryan Whitaker, the film has Holloway taking on the lead role of James Kettleman, a ruthless East Coast businessman who, in returning to the unforgiving New Mexico frontier, adopts the name Flint, which belonged to the notorious killer who raised him. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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