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.
Limited food, poor sleep and unforgiving heat pushed the Hina tribe's mental bounds. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Warner Bros history is movie history, and the notion that that history is bought and sold like so many spare car parts can cause a deep eyeroll about the way pop culture gets jammed into the unforgiving confines of M&A culture. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 And the Lakers could, by then, be in an uncomfortable hole in the unforgiving Western Conference. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025 Platner also believes Democrats are seen as censorious and unforgiving of offensive language in a way that has not helped their party. David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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