unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: 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 Firefighters revived a cat that became unresponsive after a fire broke out in a trailer at the Woodland Trailer Park Monday evening, authorities said. Peter Yankowski, Connecticut Post, 22 Oct. 2024 Phoenix police detectives are investigating the death of a 3-month-old baby girl who was found unresponsive in her mother's bed. Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024 The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department also said a man was found unresponsive inside one of the homes. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 He was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unresponsive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unresponsive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unresponsive was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near unresponsive

Cite this Entry

“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

unresponsive

adjective
un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: not responsive (as to a stimulus or treatment)
an unresponsive ulcer
unresponsiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unresponsive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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