Word
uncooperative
Phoneticsun·co·op·er·a·tive, stress on the third syllable
US/ənkoʊˈɑpɝətɪv/
UK/ʌnkəʊˈɒpəɹətˌɪv/
Definition
adj. not willing to help or work with others. You use it when someone refuses to answer, share, or join in.
adj. unwilling to help, collaborate, or comply with requests or rules. Often applied to people, groups, or behaviour that resist participation or obstruct joint action.
Examples
“The tired child becomes uncooperative at bedtime.”
“The witness remains uncooperative and refuses to answer the lawyer's basic questions in court.”
“When negotiations stalled, the normally polite committee grew openly uncooperative, withholding data and delaying every decision until its demands were addressed.”
Examples
simple
“The tired child becomes uncooperative at bedtime.”
contextual
“The witness remains uncooperative and refuses to answer the lawyer's basic questions in court.”
complex
“When negotiations stalled, the normally polite committee grew openly uncooperative, withholding data and delaying every decision until its demands were addressed.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “uncooperative” in context.
Verb
01. become uncooperative
“He became uncooperative when reporters asked about the missing funds.”
verb + adj
02. consider uncooperative
“Teachers considered him uncooperative because he avoided group work.”
verb + adj
03. describe as uncooperative
“The report described the authorities as uncooperative in the investigation.”
verb + prep + adj
04. find uncooperative
“Police found the witness uncooperative during the initial interview.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. completely uncooperative
“The staff became completely uncooperative after the management changes.”
adv + adj
06. deliberately uncooperative
“The suspect was deliberately uncooperative and refused to answer questions.”
adv + adj
07. increasingly uncooperative
“The teenager grew increasingly uncooperative when asked about homework.”
adv + adj
08. adopt an uncooperative attitude
“If you adopt an uncooperative attitude, nobody will want to help you.”
09. be uncooperative with authorities
“He was uncooperative with authorities throughout the inquiry.”
10. become increasingly uncooperative
“The crowd became increasingly uncooperative after waiting for hours.”
11. deal with an uncooperative witness
“Police need special training to deal with an uncooperative witness.”
12. remain completely uncooperative
“Even with a lawyer present, he remained completely uncooperative.”
Usage
Usable both attributively before a noun ('an uncooperative witness') and predicatively after 'be' or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“The FDA reserves the right to take action if a company is uncooperative or fails to implement timely corrections.” “In response, Seldin and Kohlberg have alleged that Ishbia has been uncooperative in providing the financial documents they requested and has demonstrated a lack of transparency.” “A health provider may add a line stating that the patient is “noncompliant” or “non-adherent,” signaling that the patient has been uncooperative and may exhibit problematic behaviors.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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