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

also : providing difficulty

struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew

uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Richardson was uncooperative with deputies while being transported back to the Martinez Detention Facility, and he was given medication by the facility's medical staff, according to the sheriff's office. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

February’s planning could come apart, and someone could be uncooperative, which could challenge your confidence. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026

February’s planning could come apart — someone could be uncooperative which could challenge your confidence. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026

Deputies contacted Mathis, who authorities said was uncooperative and denied involvement with the animals. —Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncooperative

• inoperative
• operative