unkind

adjective

Definition of unkindnext
as in rude
lacking in kindness, helpfulness, sympathy, etc. an unkind remark unkind treatment It was unkind of you not to invite her.

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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 unkind Jones shattered, the way this league can crush a QB if the fates are unkind. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 July 2026 During the first game, the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner got tangled up, said some unkind things, and five players wound up with technical fouls in the aftermath. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026 The market is now doing what project-finance investors are meant to do, testing the cash flow and asking who is left holding the risk if the day of refinancing is unkind. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The action starts at Long Island’s historically unkind Shinnecock Hills on Thursday. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unkind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkind
  1. rude
  2. unpleasant
  3. unfavorable
  4. inconsiderate
  5. discourteous
  6. impolite
Adjective
  • Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • By the same token, French-style discretion can be interpreted by American visitors as inattentive and rude.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • As unpleasant as his job might be at the moment, Harbaugh is ostensibly safe.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Depriving the plant of light discourages the development of chlorophyll—the green plant pigment responsible for color—and rids the chicory of an unpleasant flavor.
    — Tamar Adler, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • The agreement, which excluded some aspects of previous international proposals that Rhodesia had found unfavorable, also bypassed the PF leaders and their considerable support base.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Independent Leadership Council pollster Brett Loyd attributed Kiley’s increase to a larger number of voters in the district who have unfavorable views of both major political parties.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • When Venus opposes Saturn on August 21, someone’s likely going to be fed up with someone else’s inconsiderate behavior.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
  • For some workers, letting AI write a message to a coworker may seem like a harmless time-saving hack, while others view it as inconsiderate or rude.
    — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of inconsiderate
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of discourteous
Adjective
  • Joyful noise and other, impolite sounds radiated from the sets oscillating between the two sites.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Simply hide the ninja figures and wait for your unsuspecting victim to walk by when out of nowhere, the motion activation lets loose a very impolite noise sure to have your kids rolling.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of impolite

Browse Nearby Words

unkept
unkind
unkindliness
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Cite this Entry

“Unkind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkind. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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