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
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.
Officials confirmed that the 6-year-old had gone missing and was found unresponsive in a pool on the property, per the Journal-Constitution. Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 Soon joined by colleagues, the officer used a baton to shatter the driver’s side window before pulling an unresponsive man to safety. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025 When first responders arrived at the scene, the man was initially unresponsive but breathing, but died at the scene, despite medics' life-saving efforts, Willer said. Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025 He was admitted in an unresponsive state with hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar levels. Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unresponsive

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unresponsive was in 1768

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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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