unsparing

adjective

un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈsper-iŋ How to pronounce unsparing (audio)
Synonyms of unsparingnext
1
: not merciful or forbearing : hard, ruthless
an unsparing satire
an unsparing critic
2
: not frugal : liberal, profuse
unsparing generosity
unsparingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Mostly because Kiesling’s voice is delightful, and this chronicle of Daphne—a young mother-intellectual on the verge of a nervous breakdown—is open-hearted and unsparing about the work that goes into balancing infant care with day job. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026 The film was a return to form for Roman Polanski, who drew on his own experiences as a Holocaust survivor to offer an unsparing look at Nazi savagery. Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsparing

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsparing was circa 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsparing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsparing. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

unsparing

adjective
un·​spar·​ing ˌən-ˈspa(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce unsparing (audio)
-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
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