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

Saft was equally unsparing about the underlying assessment math, which values co-ops and condominiums differently than houses. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Analysts were unsparing in their assessment of McDonald’s newfound troubles. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026

Last week, when Syracuse’s local ABC affiliate reported that the city would be ending its partnership with Flock and signing a new agreement with Axon, the response was unsparing. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Darcy’s first proposal is a humiliation—for him, not her—and his transformation in the novel’s second half works because Austen is unsparing about what Elizabeth’s rejection actually reveals. — Literary Hub, 29 June 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
• timesharing
• uncaring
• unerring

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