1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
gave them an unsympathetic look and pointed out that they'd brought the problem on themselves
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2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
an aloof and unsympathetic man who does not engage in small talk
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3
as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
a bohemian artist who found the unsympathetic environment of the small town too much to bear
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4
as in negative
opposed to one's interests
an unsympathetic reaction to her proposal to ban trans fats from the company cafeteria
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsympathetic
For now, Abigail is a pariah in her town and her school, facing discrimination both inane (locker vandalism, unsympathetic teachers) and terrifying (physical threats, a targeted bathroom ban).
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Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
To ensure a thorough test, the researchers created 16 different versions of the case, covering all possible combinations of sympathetic or unsympathetic defendants, and precedent-following or precedent-breaking lower court decisions.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Belinda spends the episode’s first half realizing that Greg may now be a threat to her, but finds a confused and ultimately unsympathetic ear in resort manager Fabian.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Heinlein's book has been the subject of some controversy, as its ardent militarism and unsympathetic rendering of alien antagonists have been widely described as fascist.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsympathetic
Adjective
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As with everything Banksy, siting and context are chief among the avenues of investigation into the man’s intent and into his his hilariously ruthless nocturnal execution of his art.—
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The ruthless, physical Panthers will get a strong Oilers squad, with Ekholm back on the back end, Skinner emphatically taking back his net from Calvin Pickard, and both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on top of their games.—
Adjective
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Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
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The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.—
Adjective
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Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.—
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The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.—
Adjective
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There is no denying that tariffs come with a net negative cost to the consumer and economic surplus overall.—
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Meanwhile, polls show that Trump continues to face strong headwinds on the issue of inflation, with net approval ratings on the topic deeply negative—despite attempts by his administration to scale back tariffs, having paused the majority of them.—
Adjective
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The film is cold-bloodedly whimsical, asking the audience to root for a merciless man who endeavors, ever so incrementally, to understand some deeper human truths.—
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Unless stopped, Trump and the Republicans who follow him may go down as the most merciless and morally bankrupt leaders this country has ever produced.—
Adjective
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The volcanic plain is on Mars' northern hemisphere far from the planet's frigid poles with access to water sources in the form of shallow ice.—
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Could alien microbes frolic in lakes of boiling acid or frigid liquid methane, or float in water droplets in Venus’ upper atmosphere?—
Adjective
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But at a time when student-athletes’ rights prevail and provide the freedom to change schools and cash in, coaches aim to regain control and curtail roster movement — even at the expense of a player in an unfavorable situation.—
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The reality is that an underdeveloped supply chain and unfavorable economics are far larger factors.—
Adjective
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The Thursday Murder Club, based on Richard Osman’s novel of the same name, follows four retirees — Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) — who solve cold case murders for fun.—
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Following a horrific incident that destroys what’s left of his emotional stability, he is assigned to a high-profile cold case that forces him to confront his inadequacies.—
Cite this Entry
“Unsympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsympathetic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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