unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

: not responsive

The patient was unresponsive.

an infection unresponsive to antibiotics

an unresponsive bureaucracy

Although they are able to locate their own food at two weeks of age, fledgling robins will still piteously beg handouts from their increasingly unresponsive father.

—Millard H. Sharp

unresponsively adverb

staring unresponsively

unresponsiveness noun

Examples of unresponsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 June 2025

Julie Leon, 65, was found unresponsive in her car on June 28, 2021 — the hottest day in Seattle's history. —Michael Copley, NPR, 30 May 2025

Jones was found unresponsive in his cell during a medication distribution about 5:14 p.m. May 21. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 May 2025

Authorities are investigating the suspicious death of an inmate at a Northern California prison after he was found unresponsive in his cell last week as correctional officers distributed medication. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unresponsive

• nonresponsive
• responsive

Medical Definition

unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

: not responsive (as to a stimulus or treatment)

an unresponsive ulcer

unresponsiveness noun