uncooperative

adjective

Definition of uncooperativenext
as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative uncooperative children an uncooperative witness

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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 uncooperative 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 The victim was uncooperative with the investigation and refused to answer any questions into the events that had transpired, Kinda says. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026 The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
  1. stubborn
  2. willful
  3. defiant
  4. recalcitrant
  5. noncooperative
Adjective
  • Earlier, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested that more interest rate rises may be needed to tackle stubborn inflation, which has stayed above the Fed's 2% target for more than five years.
    — Hugh Leask,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The apparent disconnect between a recovery in oil supply and stubborn fuel prices has drawn attention from analysts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • The law permits the government to seek denaturalization when citizenship was illegally obtained or secured through concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In an act of something like willful, somewhat disturbing friendliness, or a desire not to have to deal with Leo the next time he’s locked out, Clive makes a copy of Leo’s key and installs a lock box by his door.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of willful
Adjective
  • Roy Cosby is charged with terroristic threats, defiant trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Messi’s quiet reserve, so at odds with Maradona’s defiant swagger, fueled doubts about his patriotism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • Brian is a gee-whiz irritant, with a reckless attachment to the family’s conveniently recalcitrant dog and a knack for making dangerous situations worse.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In their recalcitrant way, the balance tips more toward the sentimental than the cynical.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of recalcitrant
Adjective
  • The European Space Agency’s ClearSpace-1, planned for 2029, tackles the harder case by capturing the unprepared, noncooperative Proba-1 satellite and dragging it down to burn up.
    — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Dolphins that partnered with fishers also experienced a 13 percent boost in survival, compared with noncooperative ones, most likely because of the animals spending the majority of their time in the lagoon.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2023
Definition of noncooperative

Browse Nearby Words

uncool
uncooperative
uncoordinated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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