unpardonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unpardonable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that is considered unforgivable or inexcusable. Example: "His betrayal was so severe that it felt unpardonable to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's all down to the crass and unpardonable stupidity of the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The Guardian

Come down out of the skies, you God, come on down and I'll hammer your face all over the city of Los Angeles, you miserable unpardonable prankster.

The Guardian - Books

She spoke out against the SNP pledge to increase taxes, and attacked Alex Salmond's criticism of Nato's involvement in the Kosovo war, saying that his description of the intervention as "unpardonable folly" was "hopelessly naive" and that he should hang his "head in shame".

The Guardian

Only Alex Salmond of the Scottish National Party has flown completely off course: he denounced the NATO action as an "unpardonable folly" that will steel the resolve of the Serbs, just as the German blitz steeled the resolve of Clydebankers.

The Economist

Iraqi firebrands insist that any arrangement that gives foreign oil firms a formal claim on any of their country's oil or gas is an unpardonable affront to national sovereignty.

The Economist

Metropolitan Bartholomew, an 86-year-old who once belonged to a fascist youth movement and was jailed in 1958-64, calls Mr Dinescu's approach "unpardonable interference in the internal affairs of the church".

The Economist

Nor are foreign banks allowed to buy a ready-made branch network by taking over an Indian bank.In a "desperately underbanked country the size of India, this is unpardonable", says Ajay Shah of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in Delhi.

The Economist

The constant threat that Mr Berlusconi will be convicted of something unpardonable is one cloud over the right's prospects.

The Economist

This time he is gone for good, executed for "such an unpardonable thrice-cursed treason" as opposing Mr Kim's succession and planning a coup.The haste with which the execution was carried out, immediately after the verdict on December 12th, suggests Mr Jang posed a real political threat.

The Economist

In other words, Mr Chirac's antics were not so much an affront to British interests, as unpardonable insouciance about the pernicious impact of an unreformed CAP on a much wider international agenda.

The Economist

Sastre's first major production, Escuadra hacia la muerte (1953; Death Squad), a disturbing Cold War drama, presents soldiers who have been accused of "unpardonable" offenses and condemned to stand guard in a no-man's-land where they await the advance of an unknown enemy and face almost certain death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unpardonable" to describe actions or behaviors that are so egregious they cannot be excused or forgiven. It is stronger than "unforgivable" and implies a moral or ethical violation.

Common error

Avoid using "unpardonable" for trivial mistakes or disagreements. Its strength is best reserved for truly serious transgressions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unpardonable" functions to qualify a noun, indicating that something is impossible to pardon or excuse. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with its usage in the provided examples, where it describes actions or behaviors considered egregious.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unpardonable" is used to describe something that is impossible to pardon or excuse. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "inexcusable" and "unforgivable". While "unpardonable" is appropriate for both formal and informal settings, avoid overusing it for minor situations to maintain its impact. The phrase is sourced from authoritative publications like The New York Times and The Economist, further validating its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inexcusable

Implies that there is no valid justification or excuse for the action.

unforgivable

Highlights the inability or unwillingness to grant forgiveness.

indefensible

Suggests that the action cannot be defended or justified.

beyond forgiveness

Emphasizes that the act is too severe to be forgiven.

irreparable

Focuses on the impossibility of repairing the damage caused.

not to be excused

Highlights the lack of any valid reason to overlook the offense.

beyond redemption

Implies that the person or action cannot be saved or improved.

utterly unacceptable

Indicates a strong disapproval and rejection of the behavior.

beyond the pale

Suggests that the action is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

outrageous

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the action.

FAQs

What does "unpardonable" mean?

"Unpardonable" means impossible to pardon or excuse; unforgivable.

What can I say instead of "unpardonable"?

You can use alternatives like "inexcusable", "unforgivable", or "indefensible" depending on the context.

How to use "unpardonable" in a sentence?

"Unpardonable" is typically used as an adjective to describe a noun, for example: "His actions were an unpardonable betrayal".

Is "unforgivable" or "unpardonable" stronger?

"Unpardonable" is generally considered stronger than "unforgivable", suggesting a more severe breach of moral or ethical standards. It implies the action is not only difficult to forgive but inherently impossible to excuse.