Word
unforgiving
Phoneticsun·for·giv·ing, stress on the third syllable
US/ənfɝˈɡɪvɪŋ/
UK/ʌnfəɡˈɪvɪŋ/
Definition
adj. very difficult to deal with or very strict. You use this to describe a situation or a person that does not give you any mercy.
adj. demanding, severe, or difficult to endure. Often used to describe environments, people, or systems that offer no leniency or second chances.
Examples
“The mountain trail is unforgiving in the winter.”
“The new boss is known for being unforgiving of any mistakes, so everyone works very carefully.”
“The desert is an unforgiving landscape where a single miscalculation regarding water supply can lead to a fatal outcome for the entire expedition.”
Examples
simple
“The mountain trail is unforgiving in the winter.”
contextual
“The new boss is known for being unforgiving of any mistakes, so everyone works very carefully.”
complex
“The desert is an unforgiving landscape where a single miscalculation regarding water supply can lead to a fatal outcome for the entire expedition.”
Real-World Examples
“Of course, the book is written by the strict, all-noticing, unforgiving father.” The same is surely true of the documentarian.” “They hold both the heaviness and joy of an existence rooted in the land, which can be unforgiving, particularly in the context of a rapidly changing world.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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