uncooperative

adjective

un·​co·​op·​er·​at·​ive ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce uncooperative (audio)
-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
also : providing difficulty
struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew
uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Several witnesses on scene were uncooperative and gave limited testimony, police said. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025 The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems. Charles Kurzman, The Conversation, 5 June 2025 After the fight, Caputo continued to be uncooperative, according to the report, including with the EMT who checked her injuries. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025 The president recently threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on the EU, arguing the Europeans have been uncooperative and that negotiations haven’t gone far enough. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncooperative

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncooperative was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncooperative. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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