unhelpful

adjective

un·​help·​ful ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl How to pronounce unhelpful (audio)
Southern often -ˈhep-
also -ˈheəp-
Synonyms of unhelpfulnext
: 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.
The roundabout near Zalaegerszeg is not the only unfinished or unhelpful project in Hungary to have received EU funds. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 Daisy hopes that this special moment will redeem the interior’s mistakes — the panty liner, the toilet paper shortage, the delay on the champagne — and Jenna works hard at the sundeck set-up while Mike terrorizes her, cracking unfunny jokes about her decorations and generally being unhelpful. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 Still, Brooks’s turn away from politics and toward a more therapeutic project has not been wholly unhelpful. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 If unhelpful naysayers shove their preferences onto you, just brush them off. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026 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 25 Apr. 2026.

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