unforgiving
adjective
un·for·giv·ing
ˌən-fər-ˈgi-viŋ 
1
: unwilling or unable to forgive
2
: having or making no allowance for error or weakness
… an unforgiving environment where false moves can prove fatal.—
Jaclyn Fierman
Jaclyn 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
On the unforgiving fake-grass field, the two teams slammed into each other at a ferocious pace – both defenses allowing only 66 rushing yards on some 25 carries.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
In the film penned by the John Wick franchise’s Derek Kolstad, Midthunder plays the title character, Painter, who while being raised in the unforgiving hills of Appalachia, was molded by her adoptive father into a survivor — tough, cunning and relentless.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
Where the short, unforgiving runway is carved into the edge of a cliff, there is no margin for error.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Producing thick plates consistently, without hidden flaws, at scale is technically demanding and unforgiving.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
In the film penned by the John Wick franchise’s Derek Kolstad, Midthunder plays the title character, Painter, who while being raised in the unforgiving hills of Appalachia, was molded by her adoptive father into a survivor — tough, cunning and relentless.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
Where the short, unforgiving runway is carved into the edge of a cliff, there is no margin for error.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Producing thick plates consistently, without hidden flaws, at scale is technically demanding and unforgiving.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
Cite this Entry
“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
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