ˌən-ˈpärd-nə-bəl
as in unacceptable
too bad to be excused or justified
regards cruelty to animals as an unpardonable sin
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Recent Examples of unpardonable
More to the point: Doing nothing would be unpardonable.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 13 May 2025
Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Alone in George’s office, Roger commits the unpardonable offense of reading his notebook.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump’s explicit threats against the Bidens, and his record of trying to politicize the Justice Department and FBI, almost justify an unpardonable pardon, columnist Jackie Calmes writes.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
In her small and deeply Catholic community, suicide is an unpardonable sin, so a horrible crime lures her with the promise of escape.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
As her recent award accolades attest, Zine was a force of nature from first take to last, the conduit through which the viewer experiences the dread, horror, anguish and grief of witnessing her father murdered for the unpardonable sin of speaking his truth.
—Alexander Woo, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2024
Insulting you for complimenting him was unpardonable.
—Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
If Sam is wrong, his journalistic sin is unpardonable.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 13 May 2025
Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Alone in George’s office, Roger commits the unpardonable offense of reading his notebook.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Trump’s explicit threats against the Bidens, and his record of trying to politicize the Justice Department and FBI, almost justify an unpardonable pardon, columnist Jackie Calmes writes.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
In her small and deeply Catholic community, suicide is an unpardonable sin, so a horrible crime lures her with the promise of escape.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
As her recent award accolades attest, Zine was a force of nature from first take to last, the conduit through which the viewer experiences the dread, horror, anguish and grief of witnessing her father murdered for the unpardonable sin of speaking his truth.
—Alexander Woo, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2024
Insulting you for complimenting him was unpardonable.
—Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpardonable
Adjective
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The takeover will continue until the district meets criteria set by the Texas Education Agency, which include exceeding the state and/or regional average for meeting-grade-level proficiency in reading and math, and ensuring the district has no schools unacceptable ratings for multiple years.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
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To have to come and be in this particular bracket every freaking year is unacceptable.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Locally, Israel has taken advantage of the strategically unforgivable decision by Hezbollah to join the fighting on behalf of its Iranian patrons.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In 2024, Schertz made the unforgivable mistake of losing at exactly the wrong time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Voto Latino leaders said in a statement that no matter his legacy or historical framing Chavez’ actions are inexcusable.—
Fernanda Figueroa,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Skipping that view may seem like an inexcusable oversight.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Salim has to be the pragmatic one who pretends everything around them isn’t morally unjustifiable just to get through the day without losing his mind.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, said the war was morally unjustifiable.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that the administration, and our secretary of state and the president tried to blame Israel is outrageous, cowardly and dangerous.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Four large porcini ravioli for $40 is pretty outrageous — that’s seriously $10 per.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That an insurer can award eight-figure paydays and stockpile vast reserves while households absorb devastating premium hikes is indefensible.—
Barbara Hoare,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some philosophers and activists advocate for pet abolition, arguing that treating any animals as property is ethically indefensible.—
Margret Grebowicz,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Conservatives and Republicans in Congress continue to claim that the cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits is an insupportable burden on America, so benefits need to be cut, though President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to preserve entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2025
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There are people of goodwill who think the way out of this insupportable situation lies in the fight for equal democratic rights in a single state for everyone living in the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.—
Michelle Goldberg,
The Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpardonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpardonable. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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