unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ 

1

: not merciful or forbearing : hard, ruthless

an unsparing satire

an unsparing critic

2

: not frugal : liberal, profuse

unsparing generosity

unsparingly

ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of unsparing

• generous
• charitable

Examples of unsparing in a Sentence

neighbors were unsparing in their charity when a local family was rendered homeless by a fire

unsparing in his criticism of the welfare state

Recent Examples on the Web

As an unsparing deep dive into the id of Silicon Valley, The Audacity feels impressively, even depressingly, believable. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026

Lynn, who wrote the play before COVID delayed its path to the West End, is characteristically unsparing about the state of satire on both sides of the Atlantic. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

Their unsparing letter added another layer of controversy to the drama that had already been brewing about Tuesday’s forum. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

White, who presided over the cases involving 11 Antioch and three Pittsburg now-former police officers, was unsparing while telling Rombough his fate. —Aldo Toledo, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unsparing

• childbearing
• comparing
• declaring
• despairing
• forbearing
• impairing
• preparing
• repairing
• ridesharing
• seafaring
• timesharing
• uncaring

Kids Definition

unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ 

-ˈspe(ə)r-, 

ˈən-

1

: not merciful or forgiving : hard, ruthless

unsparing attacks

2

: not stingy : liberal

unsparing in their gifts to charity

unsparingly adverb