unforgiving
/'ʌnfə'giviɳ/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not willing or able to forgive or show mercy; lacking compassion or leniency: Describes a person, attitude, or nature that does not pardon offenses or show kindness to those who have made mistakes.
- Not allowing for error or weakness; harsh and demanding: Describes conditions, environments, or systems that are extremely strict and offer no margin for failure.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a person or character:
- She was an unforgiving critic who never accepted apologies.
- His unforgiving nature made it difficult for him to maintain friendships.
- Describing conditions or environments:
- The desert is an unforgiving landscape for those unprepared.
- The software industry can be unforgiving to companies that fall behind on innovation.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "unforgiving of": Used to specify what someone or something does not tolerate.
- The teacher was unforgiving of tardiness.
- The old machinery was unforgiving of any operational mistakes.
- In a figurative sense, it can describe something that reveals flaws clearly.
- The unforgiving morning light showed every wrinkle.
- The report provided an unforgiving analysis of the project's failures.
Variants and Related Words
- Unforgivingly (adverb): In a harsh, merciless manner.
- The sun shone unforgivingly on the hikers.
- Unforgivingness (noun): The quality or state of being unforgiving. (Note: This is a less common derived noun.)
Synonyms
- Merciless: Showing no mercy.
- Implacable: Unable to be appeased or placated.
- Relentless: Unceasingly intense; harsh.
- Stern: Serious, strict, and severe.
- Inexorable: Impossible to stop or prevent.
Antonyms
- Forgiving: Willing to forgive.
- Merciful: Showing mercy.
- Lenient: More merciful or tolerant than expected.
- Compassionate: Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- An unforgiving taskmaster: A phrase describing a very strict person in charge.
- The coach was an unforgiving taskmaster, but the team won the championship.
- In an unforgiving mood: Describing a temporary state of being particularly harsh or intolerant.
- After the costly error, the manager was in an unforgiving mood.
Adjective
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not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
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grim determination
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grim necessity
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Russia's final hour, it seemed, approached with inexorable certainty
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relentless persecution
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the stern demands of parenthood
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unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy
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a surly unforgiving old woman
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