unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ How to pronounce unsparing (audio)
1
: not merciful or forbearing : hard, ruthless
an unsparing satire
an unsparing critic
2
: not frugal : liberal, profuse
unsparing generosity
unsparingly adverb

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 Horizon doesn’t come close to the unsparing emotional toughness of many of the 1950s Westerns by the likes of John Ford, Anthony Mann, and Budd Boetticher, or, for that matter, the later works of their Italian spiritual brethren, the double Sergios Leone and Corbucci. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 May 2024 The book struck them as unsparing, accurate, and true to the spirit of an idiosyncratic and important artistic career. Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsparing 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsparing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsparing was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near unsparing

Cite this Entry

“Unsparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsparing. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsparing

adjective
un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce unsparing (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!