Unsympathetic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who lacks understanding or compassion for others' feelings or situations.

• Her boss was unsympathetic to her request for a day off.
• The teacher's response was unsympathetic to the student's difficulties.

Used to describe someone who shows no interest or concern, often seen as neutral but can sometimes be negative depending on the situation.

• He was indifferent to the plight of the homeless.
• She seemed indifferent to the news of her promotion.

Used when someone is not only unsympathetic but also particularly unkind or cruel. This term carries negative connotations.

• He was cold-hearted and didn't care about the suffering he caused.
• Her cold-hearted remark left everyone in shock.

Used when someone shows a lack of emotion or sympathy, often in situations where empathy is expected. Has a negative connotation.

• The judge's unfeeling demeanor upset the grieving family.
• Her unfeeling gaze made it clear she didn't care.

Use this in situations where someone lacks understanding or compassion towards another's feelings or situation. This word generally has a negative connotation.

• He was unsympathetic to her problems and suggested she should just get over them.

This is suitable when talking about someone who is not reacting or showing any response, particularly in situations where a reaction is expected. It may imply a lack of interest or concern.

• Despite her repeated pleas for help, he remained unresponsive.

Use this to describe someone who shows lack of awareness or consideration for the feelings of others. It has a negative connotation as well.

• His insensitive comments about her appearance made her feel very self-conscious.

This is appropriate when describing a person or action that is unkind, severe, or unnecessarily strict. This word also has a negative connotation.

• Her boss was harsh, criticizing every small mistake she made.