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.
Ones like Michael Dell, from the eponymous hardware company, and Laura Alber, CEO of Williams-Sonoma , and David Joyner from CVS Health , where the kind agentic robots replace the unkind robots who tell you which number to press and please don’t forget the #. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026 That’s sentiment and nostalgia and, in my view, unkind. Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 His tone isn’t unkind, just formal. Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026 To them, he will be remembered as a cold, heartless businessman and a shamefully unkind man of the cloth who focused way too much on socializing, traveling and furthering his own agenda. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unkind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkind. Accessed 22 Feb. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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