Standard Lemma guide

unforgivingly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a way that is unforgiving.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Act ruthlessly and unforgivingly towards the enemy, because if you spare him today, then he can and will annihilate you tomorrow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

without forgiveness; in an unforgiving manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • unforgivingly, he insisted that she pay her debt to the last penny

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: forgivingly

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English unforgiving Middle English -ly English -ly English unforgivingly From unforgiving + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 無情地 /无情地 (wúqíng de) — in a way that is unforgiving
  • Chinese Mandarin: 冷酷地 (lěngkù de) — in a way that is unforgiving
  • Chinese Mandarin: 毫不留情地 (háobuliúqíng de) — in a way that is unforgiving
  • Finnish: anteeksiantamattomasti — in a way that is unforgiving
  • Finnish: armottomasti — in a way that is unforgiving
  • Polish: bezpardonowo — in a way that is unforgiving