unkindly 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of unkindlynext
as in unkind

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Dissimilar Words

unkindly

2 of 2

adverb

as in cruelly

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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 unkindly
Adjective
The first time, her 6-year-old child was close to harming our infant daughter, and my husband asked him to back off — not unkindly, and only after giving the neighbor a chance to intercede first. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Furet had earlier co-produced a glossy two-volume study of the Revolution, La Révolution française (1965–66), described unkindly but not unjustly by Lynn Hunt as a coffee-table book. — Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025 Aimee Lou Wood, the British breakout star of The White Lotus season three, said Saturday Night Live has apologized after unkindly parodying her during Saturday night’s show. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unkindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unkindly
  1. unkind
  2. cruelly
  3. contemptuous
  4. pitilessly
  5. scornful
  6. ruthlessly
  7. disparaging
  8. mercilessly
Adjective
  • October's atmospheric downside Even October, however, can occasionally be unkind to stargazers.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But, to be fair, there were indeed some unkind comments online and none of those are apparent when other performers take unorthodox approaches to the national anthem, such as performing it with bagpipes.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unkind
Adverb
  • And, if Barisone was psychotically deluded, how was the jury meant to understand the defense’s central framing, which was that Kanarek had cruelly tried to harm Barisone?
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Hansen can be cruelly mocking towards his oft-flustered but extremely professional producer Andie Bender (an astonishingly good Merritt Wever).
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cruelly
Adjective
  • Below the surface, there is a lot of contemptuous finger-pointing about where the anti-AI energy now coursing through the political-media landscape is coming from.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Relative to the contemptuous silence of the Mike Ashley regime, there is no comparison — but even when compared to previous post-takeover administrations, Newcastle are being more communicative.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemptuous
Adverb
  • The season finale brings the various strands of the story together elegantly and a bit pitilessly, too, as the body count continues to rise and the struggle for survival grows genuinely desperate.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of pitilessly
Adjective
  • Atletico did not believe Madrid were actually serious with their bid, and reacted with more angry and scornful social media posts.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tribunals have been appointed, and Coriolanus’ scornful elitism strikes them as too heavy a price for his military protection.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of scornful
Adverb
  • The garment industry is ruthlessly competitive and manufacturers fear that any rise in costs or supply disruption could see orders shift to rival Vietnam, Cambodia, or Pakistan.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Theorists such as Nick Bostrom have long warned that an advanced model might inflict immense harm by taking a human prompt too literally and pursuing its goal too ruthlessly.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruthlessly
Adjective
  • Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The irony is that Trump has been more disparaging and dismissive of the military than any other president.
    — Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of disparaging
Adverb
  • But there were more hilarious moments, the biggest being Tkachuk's full-on heel turn when the team showed a tribute video that got mercilessly booed by the crowd.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This is no small feat in a city where working class locals are priced out mercilessly to make way for the ultra-wealthy here to work on their winter tans.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of mercilessly

Browse Nearby Words

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unkindly
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Cite this Entry

“Unkindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unkindly. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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