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
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.
And part of that was because of his uncompromising values.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Nancy Kissinger, who died Aug. 20 at the age of 92, was the second wife of Henry Kissinger, and a source of support, counsel and uncompromising defense for her famous, controversial husband.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said that Erdogan's uncompromising language did little to ease Israeli concerns.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Others cheered what they saw as her uncompromising bravery in maintaining those convictions and saying so publicly.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
His uncompromising crusade brought him into direct confrontation with the Vatican.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
