unforgiving

adjective un·for·giv·ing \ ˌən-fər-ˈgi-viŋ \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of unforgiving

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

See unforgiving defined for English-language learners

Examples of unforgiving in a Sentence

They are unforgiving of the smallest mistake.
the unforgiving world of politics

Recent Examples of unforgiving from the Web

Black love still thrives in unforgiving circumstances, and Mahogany understands the long-lasting trauma of slavery, Jim Crow and mass incarceration.

— jeneé osterheldt, kansascity, "30 years of Mahogany: Thanks, Hallmark, for understanding how Black Lives Matter | The Kansas City Star," 3 May 2018
Wahhabism is universal shorthand for the unforgiving brand of Islam that millions of foreign workers have learned in Gulf mosques, and that Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Islam has exported abroad.

— karl vick, Time, "The Saudi Crown Prince Thinks He Can Transform the Middle East. Should We Believe Him?," 5 Apr. 2018
Kids at that age, after all, can be an unforgiving lot.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Special' Scholl offers heart, stability to Toreros," 3 Apr. 2018
Stick-straight Asian hair can be unforgiving when short: Shorn hair buzzed at uneven angles can’t be easily concealed by matting it down with gel.

— john januzzi, The Cut, "The Best of New York Health & Self 2018," 6 Mar. 2018
The floor matters, too Floor surfaces should be softer — tile is hard and unforgiving and carpet can be too restricting for someone who uses a wheelchair or walker.

— michele parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Falls can be deadly for the elderly — here's how to prevent them," 24 Apr. 2018
Baseball at the Double A level can be unforgiving, especially for those who have not experienced the struggle — the top draft picks.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Brendan Rodgers Breaks Out With 5 Hits As Yard Goats Sweep Harrisburg," 22 Apr. 2018
Their eldest child, Max, had grown up with a more unforgiving and volatile father, and right after college Max had moved to Singapore.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "A Flawless Silence," 17 Apr. 2018
Both films interrogated notions of morality and expediency, casting a gaze on human behavior that is dispassionate and harshly unforgiving.

— michael o’sullivan, kansascity, "‘Loveless’ is a grim, pitiless gaze at present-day Russia | The Kansas City Star," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unforgiving.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unforgiving

1713

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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UNFORGIVING Defined for English Language Learners

unforgiving

adjective

Definition of unforgiving for English Language Learners

: not willing to forgive other people
: very harsh or difficult : not allowing weakness, error, etc.

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unforgiving

Definition of unforgiving

unforgivingness

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First Known Use of unforgiving

UNFORGIVING Defined for English Language Learners

unforgiving

Definition of unforgiving for English Language Learners

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unforgiving

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unforgivingness

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unforgiving

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