1
as in unkind
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2
as in uncaring
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Recent Examples of unloving
Potterheads across the globe will instantly recognize Harry’s not-so-homely house on Privet Drive, his cramped excuse of a bedroom and the endless disdain oozing from the young wizard’s unloving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
—
Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Felix, whose childhood is revealed to have been unloving and unstable, seems to see in Jess something like instant security: not just a warm person with a home that’s much more welcoming than his chaotic squat full of eco-warriors, but an insta-family.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025
The Bible teaches that God is Love – infinite and always available, with no unlovely or unloving element.
—Larissa Snorek, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
And at its head, always, sits Adele’s husband Caesar (Tommaso Ragno), a stern but not unloving patriarch with the sonorous voice of a man used to being obeyed, who runs the local one-room school where all of his kids, bar his youngest, sickly infant, are taught the same lessons regardless of age.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2024
Pushed out by an unloving foster family, our heroine bounces from one unhappy situation to another, blithely rising above a string of temporary jobs, unreliable boyfriends, and a stint of streetwalking.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024
Or that his fear of letting go can be traced to various traumas involving his unloving family and his loving but dead wife?
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
Strays tells the story of Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), an adorable terrier abandoned by his unloving owner.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2023
The season also has Sam’s father (played by Mike Hagerty, who died before filming) away on a boating trip with his brother, and Sam’s unloving, unhappy mother in a nursing home.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2023
Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Felix, whose childhood is revealed to have been unloving and unstable, seems to see in Jess something like instant security: not just a warm person with a home that’s much more welcoming than his chaotic squat full of eco-warriors, but an insta-family.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025
The Bible teaches that God is Love – infinite and always available, with no unlovely or unloving element.
—Larissa Snorek, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
And at its head, always, sits Adele’s husband Caesar (Tommaso Ragno), a stern but not unloving patriarch with the sonorous voice of a man used to being obeyed, who runs the local one-room school where all of his kids, bar his youngest, sickly infant, are taught the same lessons regardless of age.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 2 Sep. 2024
Pushed out by an unloving foster family, our heroine bounces from one unhappy situation to another, blithely rising above a string of temporary jobs, unreliable boyfriends, and a stint of streetwalking.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024
Or that his fear of letting go can be traced to various traumas involving his unloving family and his loving but dead wife?
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023
Strays tells the story of Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), an adorable terrier abandoned by his unloving owner.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2023
The season also has Sam’s father (played by Mike Hagerty, who died before filming) away on a boating trip with his brother, and Sam’s unloving, unhappy mother in a nursing home.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unloving
Adjective
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All of this has just been ways to use pressure tactics to make broadcasters who say unkind things about the president pay a price.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The 10th innings were unkind to the Sox.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Expressing concerns about rising electricity rates, water shortages, and uncaring tech oligarchs, most attendees were resolutely opposed.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
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Standing outside her Brooklyn home on Friday, a devastated Wright struggled to understand how the driver who hit her child could be so uncaring.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
However nasty and spiteful things get between the Butleys and the del Valles, there’s always the sense that a détente may still be possible.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But again and again throughout Thursday's hearing, the fraying of bonds between Kennedy and his former party was on full display as spiteful comments were passed back and forth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s a pretty thoughtless way to approach a conflict that’s already killed so many.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
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Scenes meant to convey fondness and dramatic weight instead flatten into thoughtless repetition, as the series’ decades-long dissection of the final girl reveals itself as a stale brand asset.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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How did his part as Benny — the Gordons’ obnoxious cousin from Las Vegas — come to be?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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She’s guarded, gives her co-workers obnoxious nicknames, and is always ready with a snarky comment.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The city should have more police officers giving out tickets to inconsiderate dog owners.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Critics are sometimes contemptuous of the way superhero entertainment has been embraced by adults, who should presumably be making their way through the Booker Prize longlist.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
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Sara Hershkowitz’s wildly contemptuous Queen adds further soprano glory.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Along the way, Daisy and Hoke each will confront, acknowledge and, in a way, overcome their own often-unthinking prejudice.—
Oline Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
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To stay in that state of unthinking presence was like walking a tightrope only to suddenly look down, panic, and come plunging back to Earth.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unloving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unloving. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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