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

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

The story of the bitter conflict ripping Loving County apart is inseparable from its history, one of hardship, survival, and ties to an unforgiving place that are born deep inside a person’s bones like marrow. —Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025

These people, raised in an unforgiving place, have no need for any of our Alien jargon. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

Bowling at run-hungry batters on largely unforgiving pitches in vast, cacophonous stadiums with huge outfields in front of a partisan and at times baying crowd — plenty of English bowlers have found bowling in Australia akin to a Sisyphean task. —James Wallace, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025

That discipline matters in a funding climate where capital is both concentrated and unforgiving. —Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unforgiving

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