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

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

Last month, she replaced longtime Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López with an officer known for his uncompromising stance, former counterintelligence chief Gustavo González.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Couple that with the group’s uncompromising punk rock attitude about their structure and message, and it’s easy to see why Irreversible Entanglements might not fit cleanly into everyone’s preconceived notions about “jazz.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

The squad almost imploded when Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot clashed in the dressing room, and De Zerbi's uncompromising style alienated certain players.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 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

Related Words

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