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
February’s planning could come apart, and someone could be uncooperative, which could challenge your confidence.
—
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
February’s planning could come apart — someone could be uncooperative which could challenge your confidence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputies contacted Mathis, who authorities said was uncooperative and denied involvement with the animals.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026
Police statements said that Ashlee, 40, was allegedly uncooperative with authorities from early on in the investigation.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
February’s planning could come apart — someone could be uncooperative which could challenge your confidence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputies contacted Mathis, who authorities said was uncooperative and denied involvement with the animals.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026
Police statements said that Ashlee, 40, was allegedly uncooperative with authorities from early on in the investigation.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
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One person refuses to bow — not an army, not a revolution, one stubborn Jew minding his own business — and Haman cannot function.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, focusing on stubborn areas.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The man is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court Saturday, to face a raft of charges including wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous driving and possession of a dangerous drug.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Book-banning can also have a boomerang effect, in a democracy, since bad publicity is famously better than no publicity and the creation of any taboo invites its willful and thrilling violation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In those early days, Zelensky’s uncanny capacity for survival and humor encapsulated the defiant mood of the country.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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As the last survivor of the Block 42 resisters, Tanimoto has kept awareness of that complicated, defiant chapter of Japanese American history alive by sharing his story, including at a Day of Remembrance event taking place at noon Saturday at the Sutter County Museum in Yuba City.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Executives who dismiss culture as intangible or uncontrollable are misreading how today’s markets and consumers behave.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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This is partially why even minor balances become uncontrollable if not dealt with immediately.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Consciousness may be the most recalcitrant concept of all.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
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Adams had carefully shepherded it through an often-recalcitrant City Council and through the gauntlet of demands coming from both the real estate lobby and pro-housing advocates.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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