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

He was found unresponsive in his cell, lying on his side with his jumpsuit tied around his neck, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. —Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 20 July 2025

Manzano was found unresponsive in his Comfort Suites hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, on Feb. 5. —Pj Green july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025

Police have recommended charges in the drowning of influencer Emilie Kiser's 3-year-old son, Trigg Kiser, who was found unresponsive in his family's backyard pool in May. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 16 July 2025

In a separate incident at Martinelli Beach, a man was found unresponsive in the river at 3:49 p.m., deputies said in the release. —Don Sweeney july 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 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