unrelenting
Americanadjective
-
not relenting; not yielding or swerving in determination or resolution, as of or from opinions, convictions, ambitions, ideals, etc.; inflexible.
an unrelenting opponent of the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Synonyms:
- remorseless, cruel, pitiless, ruthless, unmerciful, merciless, relentless
-
not easing or slackening in severity.
an unrelenting rain.
- Synonyms:
- inexorable, implacable, unremitting
-
maintaining speed, effort, vigor, intensity, rate of advance, etc..
an unrelenting attack.
adjective
-
refusing to relent or take pity; relentless; merciless
-
not diminishing in determination, speed, effort, force, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unrelenting
Explanation
Unrelenting is an adjective that describes someone or something that is not willing to give up, like a person who tries fifty different types of ice cream in pursuit of the perfect flavor. The word unrelenting usually describes a person who is stubborn and persistent in his efforts. An unrelenting person may also be unforgiving, such as a judge who will give the harshest sentence regardless of the sob story that the person on trial tells her. Unrelenting can also refer to non-human actions, like the unrelenting wind that finally led to a cancellation of your outdoor sailing competition or the unrelenting noise of the party that kept you awake all night.
Vocabulary lists containing unrelenting
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Esperanza Rising
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 there was the press’s unrelenting scrutiny, which I too know something about.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
A spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, said the cost and demand pressures were "unrelenting".
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
“Witnessing the beauty, serenity and unrelenting force of nature through their eyes has helped ground me in a chaotic world.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
After another long stretch of unrelenting news, the weekend is finally nigh.
From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026
The sky instantly turns from unrelenting day to an end-of-time kind of twilight as the ship pitches and rolls like a cork.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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.
