unforgiving


Also found in: Thesaurus.

un·for·giv·ing

 (ŭn′fər-gĭv′ĭng)
adj.
1. Reluctant or refusing to forgive: an unforgiving creditor.
2. Not allowing for error or shortcomings, especially in being harsh: an unforgiving climate.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unforgiving

(ˌʌnfəˈɡɪvɪŋ)
adj
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.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

un•for•giv•ing

(ˌʌn fərˈgɪv ɪŋ)

adj.
1. not disposed or able to forgive; unrelenting; unyielding.
2. not allowing for weakness.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.unforgiving - unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercyunforgiving - unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy; "a surly unforgiving old woman"
forgiving - inclined or able to forgive and show mercy; "a kindly forgiving nature"; "a forgiving embrace to the naughty child"
2.unforgiving - not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreatyunforgiving - not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty; "grim determination"; "grim necessity"; "Russia's final hour, it seemed, approached with inexorable certainty"; "relentless persecution"; "the stern demands of parenthood"
implacable - incapable of being placated; "an implacable enemy"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

unforgiving

[ˈʌnfəˈgɪvɪŋ] ADJimplacable
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

unforgiving

[ˌʌnfərˈgɪvɪŋ] adj
[world, environment] → sans merci
[person] → sans merci
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

unforgiving

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

unforgiving

[ˌʌnfəˈgɪvɪŋ] adjimplacabile, irremovibile
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
References in classic literature ?
He expressed, indeed, so much resentment against an unforgiving temper, that the captain at last pretended to be convinced by his arguments, and outwardly professed to be reconciled.
"You set up for being unforgiving," she said without anger.
All that guilty sorrow, hidden from the world, whose great heart would have pitied and forgiven, to be revealed to him, the Pitiless -- to him, the Unforgiving! All that dark treasure to be lavished on the very man, to whom nothing else could so adequately pay the debt of vengeance!
"I can't picture you as being unforgiving for long," said Stella.
"Do me one more kindness, ma'am; don't tell Miss de Sor when I go away." Ignorant of the provocation which had produced this unforgiving temper of mind, Miss Ladd gently remonstrated.
Surely, surely you are not so unforgiving as to carry your little differences to such a length as - '
After a few minutes' reflection, however, she continued, "I DO remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the implacability of his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper.
I know my Ellen-- haughty, intractable; shall I say, just a shade unforgiving?"
He was so hard and unforgiving. I know he thinks that he has a grievance against me.
'O, Mrs Clennam, Mrs Clennam,' said Little Dorrit, 'angry feelings and unforgiving deeds are no comfort and no guide to you and me.
He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very unforgiving in that, I think."
As she laid by the little book, the confessions in it reproached her more sharply that any words Polly could have spoken; for she had laughed at her friend, had slighted her sometimes, and been unforgiving for an innocent offence.