unforgiving

[ uhn-fer-giv-ing ]

adjective

1. not disposed to forgive or show mercy; unrelenting.
2. not allowing for mistakes, carelessness, or weakness:

   the unforgiving nature of aviation.

unforgiving

/ ˌʌnfəˈɡɪvɪŋ /

adjective

1. not willing to forgive; unmerciful
2. (of a machine, system, etc) allowing little or no opportunity for mistakes to be corrected
3. harsh and unremitting

   an unforgiving and desolate landscape

Other Words From

• unfor·giving·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unforgiving¹

First recorded in 1705–15; un- ¹ + forgiving

Example Sentences

Referees are already under pressure and an unforgiving microscope.

From BBC

“The science on climate change is unforgiving, with every year of delay locking in more costs and more irreversible changes, and everyday people paying the steepest price.”

From Salon

But all of those who spent last week scrapping for their cards are highly skilled golfers trying to cope with the unique pressures of an unforgiving individual sport.

From BBC

Ten Hag has been increasingly mocked on unforgiving social media platforms for his repeated use of phrases such as 'project' and 'game model', and demanding players and fans ‘stick to the plan’, which he said again before the Brentford game on 19 October.

From BBC

While Morton and Lorenz both point to Halloween as a “safe zone” for exploring what scares us, or to test the limits of good taste, the same internet that provides the memes can also be highly unforgiving about their deployment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cruel
• heartless
• relentless
• ruthless
• unrelenting