uncompromising

American  

[uhn-kom-pruh-mahy-zing] / ʌnˈkɒm prəˌmaɪ zɪŋ /

adjective

1. not admitting of compromise or adjustment of differences; making no concessions; inaccessible to flexible bargaining; unyielding.

   an uncompromising attitude.

   Synonyms:

   obstinate, rigid

2. without reservation or exception; undeviating; absolute, as believing in or adhering to a principle, position, or the like.

   an uncompromising abolitionist.

   Synonyms:

   steadfast, firm

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uncompromising British  

/ ʌnˈkɒmprəˌmaɪzɪŋ /

adjective

1. not prepared to give ground or to compromise

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Other Word Forms

• uncompromisingly adverb
• uncompromisingness noun

Etymology

Origin of uncompromising

First recorded in 1820–30; un- ¹ + compromise ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Someone who's uncompromising stubbornly refuses to change their opinions or accommodate other people's ideas. Your mom's uncompromising prohibition on snacks in the living room may keep some friends away from your movie nights. If you're uncompromising, you don't compromise, or meet people halfway, making some concessions to what they want. Sometimes this is a sign of power and dedication: "Her uncompromising focus on civil rights helped the movement's advance." It can also be evidence of inflexibility and stubbornness: "The President's uncompromising style resulted in many vetoes and little progress."

Example Sentences

Karol came of age during the ascent of reggaeton and Latin club music as a new default in pop, and the first third of the show played to those uncompromising but crowd-pleasing strengths.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

In retrospect, its uncompromising litmus tests and chilly demeanor were real weaknesses, creating a pervading fear that any false step could expel one from good graces, and that a return trip was always, always treacherous.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

While not an inventor, Jobs -- who died in 2011 at age 56 -- was renowned for his uncompromising drive to marry technology with design to create products that were intuitive and hassle-free.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Rose has few friends, perhaps because she has few unexpressed thoughts—and those thoughts tend toward the long-winded and uncompromising.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

These were my uncompromising words, uttered anywhere, without hesitation or fear.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• determined
• hard-line
• inflexible
• intransigent
• obstinate
• relentless
• resolute
• rigid
• single-minded
• steadfast