unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

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

ˌən-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

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

But their actions – the unfriending, the social ostracization – were unkind and extreme, at least from your telling. —Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026

But their actions — the unfriending, the social ostracization — were unkind and extreme, at least from your telling. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 14 May 2026

The first two and a half months have been unkind to the Mets. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026

All of this has just been ways to use pressure tactics to make broadcasters who say unkind things about the president pay a price. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unkind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined

Kids Definition

unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

: not kind or sympathetic

an unkind remark

unkindly adverb

unkindness

-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

noun