unhelpful

adjective

un·​help·​ful ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl How to pronounce unhelpful (audio)
 Southern often  -ˈhep-,
 also  -ˈheəp-
: offering no assistance : not helpful
a rude, unhelpful person
a confusing and unhelpful textbook
unhelpfully adverb
unhelpfulness noun

Examples of unhelpful 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.
Release unhelpful thoughts and focus on those aligned with your values, vision and goals. Gamini Hewawasam, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Our kids will make mistakes, show distress, have unhelpful reactions to situations, or disagree with our advice. Nasuh Malas, Scientific American, 25 June 2025 But the local branch in Austin has been completely unresponsive and unhelpful in resolving this. Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025 Dense, dark, and tangled sections of your shrubs and trees can create the ideal conditions where unhelpful insects and fungal diseases can thrive. Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unhelpful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhelpful was circa 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Unhelpful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhelpful. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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