unsympathetic
Britishadjective
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not characterized by, feeling, or showing sympathy
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not showing agreement (with) or favour (towards)
Explanation
When someone doesn't seem to care about the misfortunes of others, they're unsympathetic. If you yawn while your friend is crying about her lost cat, you'll come across as terribly unsympathetic. There are a few ways to use unsympathetic. If you lack sympathy (a feeling of sadness on behalf of someone else), you're unsympathetic: "I'm unsympathetic about her missing cashmere scarf, since I happen to know she has three more at home." It can also mean "unappealing" or "unlikeable." Darth Vader, up to a point, is a decidedly unsympathetic movie character. Finally, it can mean "disapproving," as in your unsympathetic opinion of an elected official whose policies you disagree with.
Vocabulary lists containing unsympathetic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unsympathetic plaintiffs serve a salutary purpose in the law, reminding politicians and the public that principles must govern even in unsavory circumstances.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2017
Unsympathetic Rangers fans serenaded the Devils with chants of "Season's Over" as the final minutes ticked down.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2013
Unsympathetic officials could slow down the cleanup of PCBs from the Hudson and the implementation of the Kyoto climate-change treaty by sheer foot dragging.
From Time Magazine Archive
Unsympathetic readers closed No. 54 with the feeling that Author Sinclair had once more had his say but that God was still waiting.
From Time Magazine Archive
Unsympathetic observers, those especially to whom the Chesterfield type represented the ideal of humanity, were simply disgusted or repelled.
From Samuel Johnson by Stephen, Leslie, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
