as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative
uncooperative children an uncooperative witness
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Recent Examples of uncooperative
Police tried to talk to the woman, who was uncooperative and had fresh scratch marks on her left shin and right upper back, records state.
—
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Several witnesses on scene were uncooperative and gave limited testimony, police said.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems.
—Charles Kurzman, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
After the fight, Caputo continued to be uncooperative, according to the report, including with the EMT who checked her injuries.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Several witnesses on scene were uncooperative and gave limited testimony, police said.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems.
—Charles Kurzman, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
After the fight, Caputo continued to be uncooperative, according to the report, including with the EMT who checked her injuries.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
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Here’s the case for Scorpio: Wednesday is suss, secretive, brooding, vengeful and stubborn.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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For Baxter and the stubborn Scot, this marked, at last, the reality of war’s end.—
Charles Pellegrino,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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He was deported in 2015, after serving a six-year state prison term for convictions of inflicting corporal punishment, child cruelty, willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and being a felon in possession of a firearm.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
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Distinguishing between honest errors and willful misconduct is key.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In its 56th edition, the photography festival, running until 5th October, embraces the provocatively defiant theme Disobedient Images, under the directorship of Christoph Wiesner.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Even postgrads, navigating early adulthood in a shifting economic landscape, leaned into the aesthetic, dressing with a kind of defiant playfulness that pushed back against the pressure to look older.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Nothing important happened, but something happened, sort of — something scary and uncontrollable.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2025
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It's been 28 years since the rage virus — a virulent, bloodborne infection that sends its hosts into extreme, uncontrollable rage and states of undead decay — escaped a lab and decimated nearly all of the United Kingdom, now under rigid quarantine.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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