# uncooperative

/ənkoʊˈɑpɝətɪv/ (US) · /ʌnkəʊˈɒpəɹətˌɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uncooperative
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

not willing to help or work with others. You use it when someone refuses to answer, share, or join in.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

unhelpful, difficult

## Antonyms

cooperative, helpful, accommodating

## Usage notes

- Usable both attributively before a noun ('an uncooperative witness') and predicatively after 'be' or 'become'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.