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
Turning 26 or many young adults, the 26th birthday marks a hard deadline — a sudden loss of coverage that can feel arbitrary and unforgiving.
—Davi Jacobs, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
Written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast follows a former Army Special Forces Soldier and his retired combat dog who battle for survival after a plane crash deep in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Southern summers can be unforgiving, with unexpected storms followed by bouts of humidity.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Curiosity has shown signs of damage for years NASA has for years been aware that Mars' unforgiving terrain is capable of doing some serious damage to its billion-dollar vehicle.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
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Davi Jacobs, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
Written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast follows a former Army Special Forces Soldier and his retired combat dog who battle for survival after a plane crash deep in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Southern summers can be unforgiving, with unexpected storms followed by bouts of humidity.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Curiosity has shown signs of damage for years NASA has for years been aware that Mars' unforgiving terrain is capable of doing some serious damage to its billion-dollar vehicle.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
Cite this Entry
“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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