unforgiving

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   unwilling to forgive an offense or show mercy

   He remained unforgiving even after she offered a sincere apology.

2. 2
   adj

   harsh or demanding, allowing little or no margin for weakness or error

   The desert is an unforgiving environment for an unprepared traveler.

3. 3
   adj

   of clothing, materials, or images: tending to expose physical flaws or imperfections

   The glossy fabric was unforgiving under the bright stage lights.

Formed from un- + forgiving, the participial adjective of forgive. Forgive descends from Old English forgiefan, literally involving the sense of giving up or releasing; unforgiving therefore describes a refusal to release blame, later extended to harsh conditions that make no allowance for mistakes.

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