unforgiving

1 of 2

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

unforgivingness

2 of 2

noun

un·​forgivingness

"+

: the quality or state of being unforgiving : implacability, vindictiveness

the unforgivingness of passionate hearts

—John Galsworthy

Examples of unforgiving in a Sentence

Adjective

They are unforgiving of the smallest mistake.

the unforgiving world of politics

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Planted in a mound of debris, fluttering in the unforgiving wind, was the red-and-gold Chinese flag. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Looking down showed an unforgiving shaft to hard ground, while looking up only reminded me of the hundreds of feet left to ascend. — Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

And doing it against an unforgiving schedule that is the NFL’s second-toughest. — Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Its portrayal of American wartime brutality is harsh and unforgiving, in a way that no Hollywood film is likely to be. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

unforgiving + -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unforgiving

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