as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
an unsociable but not an overtly rude child
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Recent Examples of unsociable
Hospitality fared well in Deputy’s study, making up half of the 10 happiest job sectors, despite the sector’s reputation for high stress, unsociable hours, and low pay.
—
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
Ask Amy: My unsociable neighbor doesn't know about me and his wife.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024
Pact and Bectu have been negotiating over terms of their new collective bargaining agreement since last year, with the crew union wanting more conditions in place regarding unsociable hours and the producers’ body saying that many of the requests are unworkable.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2022
For instance, long and unsociable hours are commonplace, and while this is in part due to the shortage of skilled personnel, there is also a cultural element to this that prohibits many from considering it a viable career.
—Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021
The social media generation is increasingly clueless and unsociable.
—Susan Glaser, cleveland, 1 Mar. 2020
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
Ask Amy: My unsociable neighbor doesn't know about me and his wife.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024
Pact and Bectu have been negotiating over terms of their new collective bargaining agreement since last year, with the crew union wanting more conditions in place regarding unsociable hours and the producers’ body saying that many of the requests are unworkable.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2022
For instance, long and unsociable hours are commonplace, and while this is in part due to the shortage of skilled personnel, there is also a cultural element to this that prohibits many from considering it a viable career.
—Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021
The social media generation is increasingly clueless and unsociable.
—Susan Glaser, cleveland, 1 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsociable
Adjective
-
The war is a distant drumbeat, its threat ever audible to Steele’s underemployed, eminently draftable characters from 9,000 miles away.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The 2025 rediscoveries serve as a reminder that even species unseen for decades may still persist in remote corners of the world — and that the work of birdwatchers and researchers scanning distant forests and islands continues to make a difference.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The title may be clinical and detached; the image on its cover is anything but.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The fire also damaged two neighboring houses and a detached garage.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tuesday’s game was moved from the evening to the afternoon in anticipation of cold temperatures.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Chu attributed the slower activity in early 2026 to high interest rates and an unusually cold winter, which kept many prospective buyers away from open houses in January and February.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the system isn't completely antisocial.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Trump is at once a symptom of this disease and its apotheosis, a living representation of all the ways the United States has encouraged, tolerated and rewarded the most selfish and antisocial behaviors imaginable, at least among a certain class of person.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Made with a lightweight cotton fabric, this bucket hat will keep your face cool on balmy days.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
People will see a ton of cool, diverse ideas from us.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsociable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsociable. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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