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
Today’s business environment looks less like a traditional office and more like professional athletics, high-pressure, high-stakes and unforgiving of mistakes.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
While intended to streamline boarding and ensure overhead bin space is used efficiently, the sizers became notorious for sparking last-minute bag checks and heated exchanges as passengers attempted to squeeze their luggage into the unforgiving metal templates.
—AFAR Media, 16 Oct. 2025
The firings, initially tallied at more than 4,000, cast a wide and unforgiving net across many federal agencies, including nearly everyone in the Education Department's special education division.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Matters of the heart — and, naturally, the stomach — are well-trod territory for the Guest Chefs, but money matters are not always intuitive in the unforgiving restaurant industry.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
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Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
While intended to streamline boarding and ensure overhead bin space is used efficiently, the sizers became notorious for sparking last-minute bag checks and heated exchanges as passengers attempted to squeeze their luggage into the unforgiving metal templates.
—AFAR Media, 16 Oct. 2025
The firings, initially tallied at more than 4,000, cast a wide and unforgiving net across many federal agencies, including nearly everyone in the Education Department's special education division.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Matters of the heart — and, naturally, the stomach — are well-trod territory for the Guest Chefs, but money matters are not always intuitive in the unforgiving restaurant industry.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unforgiving
Cite this Entry
“Unforgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unforgiving. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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