unforgivable

adjective

un·​for·​giv·​able ˌən-fər-ˈgi-və-bəl 

-fȯr-

: too bad to be forgiven : not forgivable

an unforgivable crime/sin/error

Such boldness on the part of a man of my own class would have been almost unforgivable.

—Jack London

unforgivably

ˌən-fər-ˈgi-və-blē 

-fȯr-

adverb

Synonyms of unforgivable

• unacceptable
• inexcusable
• unpardonable
• outrageous
• unjustifiable
• indefensible
• unwarrantable

Examples of unforgivable in a Sentence

an unforgivable crime that society must seek just punishment for

they considered their friend's selfish behavior unforgivable

Recent Examples on the Web

Crosby considered that unforgivable. —Pat Leonard, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Attitudinal issues or clashes of personality aren’t unforgivable. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026

In Season 1, eight years after an unforgivable mistake nukes his promising college football career, hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers — a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026

The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unforgivable

• derivable
• livable