unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd How to pronounce unkind (audio)
1
: not pleasing or mild : inclement
an unkind climate
2
: lacking in kindness or sympathy : harsh, cruel
unkindness noun

Example Sentences

It was unkind of you not to invite her. How could you be so unkind?
Recent Examples on the Web That someone would laugh at you is insensitive and unkind. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 2 Apr. 2023 Some of the passages about his second, third, and fourth wives—Marianne Wiggins, Elizabeth West, and Padma Lakshmi—are unkind, even vindictive. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023 The response was unkind, Sailor said. AZCentral.com, 9 Mar. 2022 The passage of time had been unkind. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2022 Even family members are often unkind. Johanna Deeksha, Quartz, 21 Jan. 2022 On the TikTok account for her vitamin brand Lemme, Kardashian had fun clapping back at a series of unkind comments. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2023 History was often unkind to these follies. James Fenton, The New York Review of Books, 16 Mar. 2023 But many were unkind. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unkind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unkind was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near unkind

Cite this Entry

“Unkind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkind. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

unkind

adjective
un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd How to pronounce unkind (audio)
: not kind or sympathetic
an unkind remark
unkindly adverb
unkindness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unkind

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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