unforgivable
/'ʌnfə'givəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not excusable; too bad or wrong to be pardoned or forgiven: Describes an action, behavior, or mistake that is so severe, offensive, or morally wrong that it cannot or should not be forgiven.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- His betrayal was unforgivable.
- It is an unforgivable error to compromise patient safety.
- She considered his rude comments completely unforgivable.
Advanced Usage
- "an unforgivable sin": Often used in religious or moral contexts to denote a transgression that is beyond redemption.
- In some traditions, blasphemy is considered an unforgivable sin.
- "unforgivable lapse": Used to describe a serious failure in judgment, memory, or duty.
- For a historian, such a factual error is an unforgivable lapse.
Variants and Related Words
- Unforgivably (adverb): In a manner that cannot be forgiven.
- He acted unforgivably.
- Forgivable (adjective): Able to be forgiven or excused. (Antonym)
- A minor mistake is forgivable.
Synonyms
- Inexcusable: Cannot be justified or defended.
- Indefensible: Not justifiable by argument; incapable of being defended.
- Unpardonable: Incapable of being pardoned.
Antonyms
- Forgivable: Capable of being forgiven.
- Excusable: Justifiable; pardonable.
- Venial: (Of a sin or fault) slight and pardonable.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Beyond the pale: So unacceptable that it is outside the boundaries of moral or social standards. (Conceptually related)
- His behavior towards the staff was beyond the pale.
- A fate worse than death: Used hyperbolically to describe something considered utterly terrible or unforgivable. (Conceptually related)
- To the dedicated artist, compromising their vision was a fate worse than death.