unsympathetic

adjective

un·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌən-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 

: not given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy : not sympathetic

an unsympathetic bystander

an unsympathetic review

unsympathetically

ˌən-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

commenting unsympathetically

Synonyms of unsympathetic

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony

Examples of unsympathetic in a Sentence

gave them an unsympathetic look and pointed out that they'd brought the problem on themselves

an aloof and unsympathetic man who does not engage in small talk

a bohemian artist who found the unsympathetic environment of the small town too much to bear

an unsympathetic reaction to her proposal to ban trans fats from the company cafeteria

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans secured wins in the larger metro area, but this year, the party is vulnerable with voters who are disgruntled about inflation, the Iran war and a president who seems unsympathetic to their struggles. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

On the other hand, Prince William is allegedly unsympathetic toward his younger brother. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 23 Sep. 2026

Hutton thoughtfully explores the gender dynamics of reproductive rights issues by making Val a not wholly unsympathetic middle-woman between the men in power and one of the women impacted by their machinations. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

After meeting with a young, female director, who offers him the chance to play a bizarre and deeply unsympathetic character in her debut feature, Niaz leaves the audition unconvinced (and pretty offended). — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsympathetic

• aeromagnetic
• antiemetic
• antipathetic
• apologetic
• biogenetic
• biomimetic
• biosynthetic
• cytogenetic
• diagenetic
• diamagnetic
• diaphoretic
• epigenetic