adj

unforgiving

adj

Unwilling to forgive others or show mercy.

"His father was a harsh, unforgiving man."

Allowing no room for error; harsh or difficult.

"The desert's unforgiving heat killed three of the hikers."

"It's an unforgiving sport where one mistake can end your season."

How to Use Unforgiving

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot willing to forgive, or (of a place, task, or activity) leaving no margin for error.

Common pairings

unforgiving terrain unforgiving climate unforgiving nature

more unforgiving comparative, most unforgiving superlative

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His father was a harsh, _____ man.

From un- + forgiving.

living giving diving driving striving thriving reviving reliving receiving surviving deceiving forgiving