unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

1

: not pleasing or mild : inclement

an unkind climate

2

: lacking in kindness or sympathy : harsh, cruel

How could you be so unkind?

—often used with to

regretted being unkind to her little brother

Fate was unkind to them. [=they were unlucky]

unkindness

ˌən-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

noun

Examples of unkind in a Sentence

It was unkind of you not to invite her.

How could you be so unkind?

Recent Examples on the Web

But, to be fair, there were indeed some unkind comments online and none of those are apparent when other performers take unorthodox approaches to the national anthem, such as performing it with bagpipes. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

As viewers enjoy the new series and revisit the original, online commentary has been unkind about Guy’s appearance. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Doctors of the time were woefully unable to treat her—and their contemporaries were notoriously unkind about her condition. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Criticism helpful to a stage performer during rehearsal may be unkind on opening night. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unkind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined

Kids Definition

unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

: not kind or sympathetic

an unkind remark

unkindly adverb

unkindness

-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

noun