1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
gave the homeless people on the street only an unfeeling glance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
her heart was as cold and hard as the unfeeling marble statue in her garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in inanimate
lacking animate awareness or sensation
she spoke politely even to the unfeeling virtual assistant on her phone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unfeeling
Human failings amidst an unfeeling snowpocalypse make for some engaging scenes.
—
Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
The author renders the four-year-old Margaret’s inner life with sensitive complexity, depicting an alert child logic that defies adults’ view of her as slow and unfeeling.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
That’s because for decades, reptiles have been characterized as cold, unfeeling, and even primitive creatures.
—Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
But as the film unspools and Agent Smith comes face to face with Neo and his master Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Weaving begins showing signs that this AI is not so unfeeling, not so unbothered after all.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unfeeling
Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
The author renders the four-year-old Margaret’s inner life with sensitive complexity, depicting an alert child logic that defies adults’ view of her as slow and unfeeling.
—The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
That’s because for decades, reptiles have been characterized as cold, unfeeling, and even primitive creatures.
—Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
But as the film unspools and Agent Smith comes face to face with Neo and his master Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Weaving begins showing signs that this AI is not so unfeeling, not so unbothered after all.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unfeeling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfeeling
Adjective
-
For the first time, the defense attorney becomes the defendant, forced to fight for his own freedom while facing off against ruthless prosecutor Dana Berg (Constance Zimmer).—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And, as part of the deal, city planners aim to update development protocols to meet the challenges of a more ruthless wildfire regime.—
Mark Dee
January 27,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Following a lip lift, swelling and bruising can last two to three weeks and the area may feel firm, tight, tingly, or numb for up to three months.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Body tissue is damaged, and extremities like fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose can become numb and appear white or pale.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Disinfect Surfaces Cold-causing viruses can survive on inanimate surface areas for hours.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Songbirds bond for seasons, octopuses defend their mates, and children shower their affection on inanimate plushies.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But the Warriors, driven by the merciless ticking clock of Curry’s career, are desperate.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In the film, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary who must save his teenage daughter after she’s kidnapped by the merciless army officer, Colonel Lockjaw (played by Sean Penn).—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Police reportedly said Camferdam is the individual seen in the now-viral video stomping on Epperson’s head, which ultimately left him unconscious.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The 50-year-old woman who perished, and whose identity was not immediately released, was found unconscious and unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, an NYPD spokesperson said.—
Theodore Parisienne,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That means the flavor can range from mild and clean to stony or salty, and the intensity of the bubbles also varies from delicate to aggressive.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Delectable notes of lemon curd on the nose, citrus blossom, and stony minerality, with peach tart and a drizzle of honey, and a lovely balance of medium body, lots of juicy fruit and crisp acidity.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To his right, his friend Will is asleep in the aisle seat; to his left is his ex Lucy, watching tv.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The bus driver was asleep at the wheel, and the drag queens in the back were driving the season.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfeeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfeeling. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
