unforgiving
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
Jaclyn 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
This is especially true in baseball, where the path of the major leagues is often unforgiving.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
When brands misread cultural nuance or show up opportunistically, the response is immediate, and often unforgiving.
—Angelique Kuiper, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
As the book demonstrates, notoriously unforgiving passport photos were delivered so well by Sharkey that some stars would see him again and again.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The fences, solid and unforgiving, demand full commitment every time.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
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Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
When brands misread cultural nuance or show up opportunistically, the response is immediate, and often unforgiving.
—Angelique Kuiper, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
As the book demonstrates, notoriously unforgiving passport photos were delivered so well by Sharkey that some stars would see him again and again.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The fences, solid and unforgiving, demand full commitment every time.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
Cite this Entry
“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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