UNFORGIVING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unforgiving mean? 

• UNFORGIVING (adjective)
  The adjective UNFORGIVING has 2 senses:

1. unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy

2. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

  Familiarity information: UNFORGIVING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNFORGIVING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy

Context example:

a surly unforgiving old woman

Similar:

revengeful; vengeful; vindictive (disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge)

Antonym:

forgiving (inclined or able to forgive and show mercy)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

Synonyms:

grim; inexorable; relentless; stern; unappeasable; unforgiving; unrelenting

Context example:

the stern demands of parenthood

Similar:

implacable (incapable of being placated)

 Context examples 

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.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very unforgiving in that, I think.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

“That is the most unforgiving speech,” said Elizabeth, “that I ever heard you utter. Good girl! It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)