unfailing
unfailing — adjective
- unfailingpositive
- more unfailingcomparative
- most unfailingsuperlative
1. describes a good personal quality such as patience, kindness, or optimism that i
describes a good personal quality such as patience, kindness, or optimism that is always present and never weakens, so you can completely rely on it.
Esteban's unfailing patience with difficult students made him the most respected teacher at the school.
unfailing + abstract quality noun (patience)
Even during the hardest weeks, Talia could count on her grandmother's unfailing optimism.
The local clinic depends on the unfailing dedication of its volunteer nurses and doctors.
Soraya thanked her mentor for his unfailing guidance throughout her research project.
What I remember most about Uncle Reuben was his unfailing good humour at family dinners.
- constant
more general; lacks the emotional warmth of unfailing
- steadfast
more about loyalty and determination than about a quality always showing itself
- unflagging
emphasises continuing effort or energy rather than an inherent quality
- dependable
broader; can describe a person, thing, or quality
- unreliable
suggests the quality is present only sometimes or cannot be counted on
- inconsistent
focuses on variation rather than absence
文法句型
unfailing + [abstract quality noun]
用法筆記
Only describes abstract personal qualities (patience, kindness, loyalty, good humour), never a person directly. You would say an unfailing sense of humour, not an unfailing person.
常見錯誤
2. available or existing in such large amounts that it never runs out or grows weak
available or existing in such large amounts that it never runs out or grows weaker, no matter how much is taken or used.
The mountain stream provided an unfailing supply of cool water for the hikers.
unfailing + supply of [resource]
Hui seemed to have an unfailing source of energy, working late into the night every day.
The garden was an unfailing source of fresh vegetables for the whole neighbourhood.
The charity depends on an unfailing flow of donations from supporters around the country.
Inês discovered that her curiosity was an unfailing well of inspiration for her paintings.
- inexhaustible
nearly identical in meaning; unfailing is slightly more common with abstract resources
- endless
more informal; can suggest exaggeration where unfailing feels factual
- limitless
focuses on the absence of a boundary rather than continuous provision
- finite
neutral term; suggests an eventual end
- exhaustible
direct opposite; can be used up
文法句型
unfailing + [supply/source/flow noun]
用法筆記
Typically pairs with nouns that suggest a continuing provision: supply, source, flow, stream, well. Often used both literally (clean water) and metaphorically (inspiration, energy).