unforgiving

1 of 2

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

unforgivingness noun

unforgivingness

2 of 2

noun

un·​forgivingness

"+

: the quality or state of being unforgiving : implacability, vindictiveness

the unforgivingness of passionate hearts

—John Galsworthy

Examples of unforgiving in a Sentence

Adjective

They are unforgiving of the smallest mistake.

the unforgiving world of politics

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The route passes through neighborhoods including NoDa and Plaza Midwood, offering lively pockets of support but also quieter stretches, awkward turns and hills that can feel particularly unforgiving late in the race. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

The strategic environment in 2029 is on track to be the most difficult and unforgiving since the height of the Cold War. — Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

But only a handful of souls have ever gone up the treacherous, unforgiving north face — 9,000 steep miles of snow, rock and ice with a gnarly gully given the forbidding name the Hornbein Couloir. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Struggling with both the unforgiving ocean and the unforgiving crew, Hákon must adapt to a brutal environment governed by its own rules. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

unforgiving + -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unforgiving

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• living
• sieving