unforgiven
Never granted pardon
Unforgiven describes someone who has not been pardoned for a wrong or offense.
The word carries weight—it suggests a deliberate withholding of forgiveness rather than mere oversight: He died unforgiven by his children.
It often appears in religious or moral contexts where forgiveness would bring redemption or peace. (Capitalized Unforgiven is the 1992 Western film.)
Freedom from consequences
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongedTreated with injustice
- violatedBroke a rule
betrayed · unpunished · unanswered · unaddressed · unresolved · unavenged · uncorrected
Painful awareness of failure
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- regretSorrow over past actions
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
penance · atonement · self-reproach · stigma · burdened · haunted · torment · confession
Persistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
spite · malice · enmity · hatred · loathing · scorn · contempt · disdain
Retaliation for injury
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- avengerRetribution dealer
nemesis · comeuppance · reprisal · feud · vendetta · reckoning · punishment · score-settling
Excluded from a group
- shunnedPersistently avoided socially
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
- banishedForced to leave permanently
excommunicated · disowned · rejected · estranged · blacklisted · expelled · cast out · persona non grata
impunity
Freedom from consequences
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- wrongedTreated with injustice
violated · betrayed · unpunished · unanswered · unaddressed · unresolved · unavenged · uncorrected
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- regretSorrow over past actions
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
contrition · penance · atonement · self-reproach · stigma · burdened · haunted · torment · confession · repentance
grudge
Persistent resentment toward someone
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- rancorLasting bitter resentment
hostility · spite · malice · enmity · hatred · loathing · scorn · contempt · disdain · indignation
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
avenger · nemesis · comeuppance · reprisal · feud · vendetta · reckoning · punishment · score-settling · unfinished business
ostracized
Excluded from a group
banished · excommunicated · disowned · rejected · estranged · blacklisted · expelled · cast out · persona non grata · unreconciled
unforgivenforgiven
Granted mercy for wrongdoing
absolved · pardoned · exonerated · excused · acquitted
unforgivenredeemed
Exchanged for worth
absolved · saved · sanctified · cleansed · purified
unforgivenreconciled
Restored to harmony
forgiven · restored · accepted · embraced · taken back
- unforgiving wildernessHostile natural terrain