uncompromising
Americanadjective
-
not admitting of compromise or adjustment of differences; making no concessions; inaccessible to flexible bargaining; unyielding.
an uncompromising attitude.
-
without reservation or exception; undeviating; absolute, as believing in or adhering to a principle, position, or the like.
an uncompromising abolitionist.
adjective
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."
Vocabulary lists containing uncompromising
Novel Study: Fences, Introduction and Act 1
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Sydney Poitier (1927–2022) Tribute List
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Lincoln's Spymaster
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Judges described Adolescence's Cooper as a "natural talent", with "a performance of phenomenal skill in a demanding, uncompromising role".
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
Austin taught Fuller to take on the upper class in the black community with the same zeal and uncompromising spirit that he used in confronting the white power structure.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.