as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative
uncooperative children an uncooperative witness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of uncooperative
The sketch started with host Poehler playing an uncooperative Attorney General Pam Bondi, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
As investigators began searching for the husband and 4-year-old, Miller became uncooperative and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, Campbell said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
No one wants to appear uncooperative.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sean Audy with the Will County sheriff’s office said the defendant also caused trouble at the Will County jail, including threatening a deputy, being insubordinate and uncooperative.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
As investigators began searching for the husband and 4-year-old, Miller became uncooperative and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, Campbell said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
No one wants to appear uncooperative.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sean Audy with the Will County sheriff’s office said the defendant also caused trouble at the Will County jail, including threatening a deputy, being insubordinate and uncooperative.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
-
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Medical University of South Carolina was declared responsible for Fulcher’s death in the lawsuit, citing gross negligence and willful in violation of their duties, according to the outlet.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Penalties can reach up to roughly $51,500 per violation, along with multiyear bans on new visa petitions for willful breaches, according to DOL enforcement guidelines.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cushla’s world is full of defiant spirits, including her mother, a woman struggling with addiction who spends most of her days bound to her living room and the bottom of a bottle.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The mayor-elect was defiant in his victory speech.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Newsom said that by sending California Guard members to Oregon and Illinois the administration is essentially admitting that they are not needed in Los Angeles, where the immigration officials they were sent to protect have not faced violent or uncontrollable protests for months.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The cough grew violent, uncontrollable and exhausting.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
During the Obama and Biden administrations, the US used its bully pulpit to drag more recalcitrant countries like China and the Gulf petrostates to the table and sign them on to promises to cut carbon and shell out cash to help poorer countries.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The president’s biggest tool has been his willingness to impose high tariffs or punitive sanctions on the recalcitrant parties, showing that the United States’ vast economic power can be as useful as its military might in ending sticky conflicts.—
Robert C. O’Brien,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share