To be uncompromising means to refuse to lower your standards or change your principles, even when it would be easier or more convenient to do so. An uncompromising teacher might insist that every essay be written clearly and carefully, accepting no sloppy work. An uncompromising athlete pushes herself to practice perfectly every single day, never settling for “good enough.”

An uncompromising person stands firm in what they believe is right or necessary.

Sometimes being uncompromising is admirable. A scientist might be uncompromising about testing every detail carefully before announcing results. A musician might be uncompromising in rehearsing until a piece sounds just right. Their refusal to accept less than their best leads to excellence.

But uncompromising can also mean being inflexible in ways that cause problems. An uncompromising teammate who insists on doing everything their way might make cooperation impossible. The key is knowing when to hold firm to your principles and when working with others matters more than getting exactly what you want.