unhelpful
adjective
un·help·ful
ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl 
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
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
The framework of a Democratic Tea Party remains unhelpful—but something is going on inside (and, now, outside) the Democratic National Committee, which has recently been riven by threats to primary complacent incumbents (and, now, Democrats who support going to war with Iran).
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Google Search already has lots of unhelpful advertisements, while social-media algorithms have amplified radicalizing misinformation.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
Childhood psychiatrists blasted Kennedy’s rhetoric as unhelpful to children with mental illnesses.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhelpful
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.
Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025
The framework of a Democratic Tea Party remains unhelpful—but something is going on inside (and, now, outside) the Democratic National Committee, which has recently been riven by threats to primary complacent incumbents (and, now, Democrats who support going to war with Iran).
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Google Search already has lots of unhelpful advertisements, while social-media algorithms have amplified radicalizing misinformation.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
Childhood psychiatrists blasted Kennedy’s rhetoric as unhelpful to children with mental illnesses.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhelpful
Cite this Entry
“Unhelpful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhelpful. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share