Word
unsympathetic
Phoneticsun·sym·pa·thet·ic, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ənˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
UK/ʌnsˌɪmpəθˈɛtɪk/
Definition
adj. not showing care or kindness when someone has a problem. You use it when someone seems cold or unhelpful instead of supportive.
adj. lacking sympathy or compassion toward others' difficulties; indifferent or unresponsive to suffering. Also describes attitudes or actions that show disapproval rather than support for an idea or cause.
Examples
“She gives an unsympathetic answer to his problem.”
“The manager takes an unsympathetic tone when staff explain they are overworked.”
“The novel's unsympathetic narrator observes the family's grief with cool detachment, forcing readers to question whether his judgment reveals honesty or a failure of compassion.”
Examples
simple
“She gives an unsympathetic answer to his problem.”
contextual
“The manager takes an unsympathetic tone when staff explain they are overworked.”
complex
“The novel's unsympathetic narrator observes the family's grief with cool detachment, forcing readers to question whether his judgment reveals honesty or a failure of compassion.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unsympathetic” in context.
Verb
01. appear unsympathetic
“He did not want to appear unsympathetic in front of the team.”
verb + adj
02. become unsympathetic
“Over the years she had become unsympathetic to student excuses.”
verb + adj
03. seem unsympathetic
“The doctor seemed unsympathetic when I explained my symptoms.”
verb + adj
04. sound unsympathetic
“I know I sound unsympathetic, but we cannot change the rules.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. deeply unsympathetic
“Many felt the manager was deeply unsympathetic to staff problems.”
adv + adj
06. remarkably unsympathetic
“The report was remarkably unsympathetic towards victims of the crisis.”
adv + adj
07. totally unsympathetic
“Her reply was totally unsympathetic and left him feeling worse.”
adv + adj
08. receive an unsympathetic hearing
“The parents received an unsympathetic hearing from the school board.”
09. remain unsympathetic to complaints
“Management remained unsympathetic to complaints about long hours.”
10. seem unsympathetic to problems
“You may seem unsympathetic to problems you do not understand.”
11. show an unsympathetic attitude
“The company showed an unsympathetic attitude to staff concerns.”
12. take an unsympathetic tone
“The interviewer took an unsympathetic tone throughout the meeting.”
Usage
Often followed by 'to' or 'towards' when indicating lack of support for an idea or group.
Etymology
From un- + sympathetic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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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