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

When shoppers lose their traction on slick, unforgiving floors, severe bruising, fractured wrists, spinal pain, and concussions are common results. — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

When the one sector doing the work starts decelerating, the arithmetic gets unforgiving quickly. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

But the unforgiving nature of the vast ocean appears to have hampered operations to recover the upper-stage. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Actually seeing these lives takes patience and some concentration; in the unforgiving world of the film, many choose not to. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Aug. 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