unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd How to pronounce unkind (audio)
Synonyms of unkindnext
1
: not pleasing or mild : inclement
an unkind climate
2
: lacking in kindness or sympathy : harsh, cruel
How could you be so unkind?
often used with to
regretted being unkind to her little brother
Fate was unkind to them. [=they were unlucky]
unkindness noun

Examples of unkind in a Sentence

It was unkind of you not to invite her. How could you be so unkind?
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.
But no one here is out to humiliate anyone, which is nasty and unkind and not at all the sort of humor Lawrence trades in. Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 August 23 – September 22 Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026 Regardless of the few moments when Hines implies that John’s avoidance helps fuel Daryl’s bad behavior, giving a villain edit to a living person who didn’t sign any reality-TV waiver is just unkind. Judy Berman, Time, 6 Mar. 2026 Kentucky has been unkind matchup for A&M Before A&M joined the SEC in 2012, the Aggies and Wildcats had met only once — A&M's 73-69 win in December 1978. Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unkind

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

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Cite this Entry

“Unkind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkind. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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

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