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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
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.
Since Flipping Out was canceled in 2018, Jeff Lewis has stayed on the periphery of the Bravosphere, mostly hosting his hour on Radio Andy and saying unkind things about Bravolebs who still had shows. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025 History has often been unkind to women in American society, and recent years have seen that tactic grow at alarming speed. Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025 Social media were a bit more unkind. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025 Adult death is always strangely humiliating but this was something more, conceptually distressing, theoretically immoderate, elaborately unkind. Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 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 3 Dec. 2025.

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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