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

For example, to cite Hoover again, popular memory is especially unforgiving of his handling of the Great Depression.

From FiveThirtyEight

Finally, the sea is a corrosive, unforgiving environment, and operating these craft for months on end offers a distinct challenge for their batteries, hulls and communication systems.

From Ozy

Bunch the towel up against the sides to keep the bird from whacking itself against unforgiving cardboard or plastic.

From Popular-Science

That’s because when you jump, especially on an unforgiving surface such as pavement, the force created when your body lands can be harmful if you don’t have the muscle to deal with it, he says.

From Popular-Science

As you can see, Riddler Pinball is an unforgiving game — the slightest error can tank your chances of victory.

From FiveThirtyEight

In any case, Pakistan as a nation has been unforgiving of any slights against Islam.

From The Daily Beast

This week, Trierweiler, 49, matches that public affront with a statement of her own—in 320 unforgiving pages.

From The Daily Beast

After their cliffhanging draw against Ghana, expect the Germans to be clinical—and unforgiving of American errors.

From The Daily Beast

Consequently, he was booed every time he touched the ball by the boorish, and unforgiving, Brazilians in the crowd.

From The Daily Beast

The unforgiving world of Game of Thrones can make even people like Arya become hard.

From The Daily Beast

The prince's habits were dissolute and extravagant; he was an undutiful son, and the king a somewhat unforgiving father.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely John Carvel, with his great, kind heart, would not be unforgiving.

From Project Gutenberg

He knew something of the Chinese, something of their uncanny patience, something of their unforgiving nature.

From Project Gutenberg

If I don't go up-stairs I shall be late, and then her Grace will look at me with unforgiving eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Can you expect pardon of God, while living in the indulgence of an unforgiving spirit towards your fellow-creatures?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cruel
• heartless
• relentless
• ruthless
• unrelenting