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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling
an aloof and unsympathetic man who does not engage in small talk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in negative
opposed to one's interests
an unsympathetic reaction to her proposal to ban trans fats from the company cafeteria
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsympathetic
There are some male side players too, including Marie’s unsympathetic landlord Ismael (Mohamed Grayaâ), who takes advantage of Marie’s lack of options by refusing to make simple improvements in her modest housing.
—
Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025
Katt’s film roles, predominantly as unsympathetic villains, included A Time to Kill (1996), SubUrbia (1996), The Limey (1999), Boiler Room (2000), The Way of the Gun (2000), Insomnia (2002), School of Rock (2003), Sin City (2005) and Snow Angels (2008).
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Hippler appeared unsympathetic to the defense's opposition to including Kohberger's Amazon records, which show the purchase of a Ka-Bar knife and sheath set before the murders as well as searching the app for the same items after the murders.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
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).
—Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsympathetic
Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025
Katt’s film roles, predominantly as unsympathetic villains, included A Time to Kill (1996), SubUrbia (1996), The Limey (1999), Boiler Room (2000), The Way of the Gun (2000), Insomnia (2002), School of Rock (2003), Sin City (2005) and Snow Angels (2008).
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Hippler appeared unsympathetic to the defense's opposition to including Kohberger's Amazon records, which show the purchase of a Ka-Bar knife and sheath set before the murders as well as searching the app for the same items after the murders.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
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).
—Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsympathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsympathetic
Adjective
-
Son Hee is one half of a ruthless twin assassin duo, working alongside his brother Bacho.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
-
Her 6-0, 6-0 rout at the hands of a ruthless Iga Świątek was a reminder that no sport is more psychologically brutal than tennis.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Gelato is very similar to ice cream, but only relies on milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter, icier texture than traditional homemade ice cream.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
-
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.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vis examples.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
-
In certain pockets, across some EU countries, this sort of geo-arbitrage or the existence of golden visas are viewed as negative, because of the view that expats can price locals out of the market for rents and cost of living.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Private equity moving into professional sports conjures the same fears of merciless efficiency in an industry driven by sentimentality, but Arougheti brushes off the concerns, arguing that institutional capital will increase profitability and allow owners to invest more in their teams.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
21 July 2025
-
Beyond the numbers is the human toll of Trump’s merciless campaign.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
This lunar feature is an enormous basaltic plain, which formed billions of years ago when lava flows flooded gigantic impact basins, before hardening in the frigid space environment.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
-
People were even sharing frigid places to escape the heat.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
These unpredictable, and often downright unfavorable, conditions are already impacting event attendance.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Now, as then, Chinese leaders may pursue war even if the domestic economic and political conditions appear unfavorable—and even if the PLA is not ready to fight.—
M. Taylor Fravel,
Foreign Affairs,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
For evening or colder climates, go with the Parallel Pant.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Everyone’s temperature preferences differ—some sleep hot, others cold.—
Alyssa Hui-Anderson,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsympathetic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share