uncooperative
adjective
un·co·op·er·at·ive
ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: marked by an unwillingness or inability to work with others : not cooperative
The suspect was uncooperative with investigators.
an uncooperative witness
… he wonders whether it would be such a bad thing if their uncooperative nanny quit …—
Caitlin Flanagan
Caitlin Flanagan
also
: providing difficulty
struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew
uncooperative weather
Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The victim was uncooperative with responding officers.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time, group members were uncooperative and gave conflicting testimony, according to Colton Police Sgt.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Her mom was a huge challenge — uncooperative, unsupportive, critical.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
The researchers argued that by displacing fish that were not contributing effectively, the octopuses were likely able to reduce competition or disincentivize uncooperative behavior.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
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Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time, group members were uncooperative and gave conflicting testimony, according to Colton Police Sgt.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Her mom was a huge challenge — uncooperative, unsupportive, critical.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
The researchers argued that by displacing fish that were not contributing effectively, the octopuses were likely able to reduce competition or disincentivize uncooperative behavior.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncooperative. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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