uncooperative

adjective

un·​co·​op·​er·​at·​ive ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 

-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-

: marked by an unwillingness or inability to work with others : not cooperative

The suspect was uncooperative with investigators.

an uncooperative witness

… he wonders whether it would be such a bad thing if their uncooperative nanny quit …

—Caitlin Flanagan

also : providing difficulty

struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew

uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is great news for keeping space clear of junk and extending satellites’ lifetimes—unless China turns that ability to get close to an uncooperative satellite into a military strategy. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Deputies said both parents were uncooperative on scene, which led to their arrest and booking into the Osceola County jail. — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026

State police alleged that Betacourt was uncooperative and refused to comply with commands. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Mendiola was heavily intoxicated and uncooperative when deputies arrested him, the report states. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncooperative

• inoperative
• postoperative
• preoperative
• operative
• perioperative