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 said the man was uncooperative and would not say who shot him or why.
—
Harry Harris, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
If the driver is uncooperative or flees the scene, let the police handle it.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Prosecutors said Brown suffered a minor cut to her forehead while attempting to handcuff an uncooperative suspect in March 2022.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Landon reportedly turned herself into police later that night but was initially uncooperative with officers.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Harry Harris, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
If the driver is uncooperative or flees the scene, let the police handle it.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Prosecutors said Brown suffered a minor cut to her forehead while attempting to handcuff an uncooperative suspect in March 2022.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Landon reportedly turned herself into police later that night but was initially uncooperative with officers.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Cruz was the fourth of her parents’ eight children and willful from a young age.—
Rebecca Grant
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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Importantly, and unlike the ICA, willful violations of the ADA can incur criminal penalties.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Pride celebrations are typically a daylong mix of jubilant street parties and political protest, but this year’s iterations took a more defiant stance as Republicans, led by President Trump, have sought to roll back LGBTQ+ rights.—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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Mamdani’s outspoken support for Palestinian causes was a point of tension in the mayor’s race as Cuomo and other opponents sought to label his defiant criticism of Israel as antisemitic.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Commenters had a lot to say, and many of them highlighted an often uncontrollable difference between generations: financial insecurity.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
26 June 2025
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In both cases, the objective was to signal strength while minimizing the chance of escalation into uncontrollable conflict.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Pulled along by Valérie like a recalcitrant puppy, Richard sets off on a quest to find the missing man, who may have ties to the Sicilian Mafia.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
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Khamenei’s stance is at once recalcitrant and cautious to the point of cowardice.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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