Meaning & Definition of word "Unsympathetic"

Unsympathetic

/ʌnˈsɪmpəˌθɛtɪk/

adjective:

  • 1. lacking compassion or sympathy; indifferent or hostile to the feelings or needs of others.
    • Example: His unsympathetic response to her emotional distress only deepened her sadness.
  • 2. not having or showing any concern for someone else's problems or difficulties.
    • Example: The boss was unsympathetic to the employees' complaints about their workload.
  • 3. unresponsive or cold towards another person's feelings or circumstances.
    • Example: She found it hard to connect with him because he was so unsympathetic towards her struggles.
  • 4. showing no willingness to understand or support someone else's situation.
    • Example: His unsympathetic attitude during the meeting put a damper on the team's morale.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', and 'sympathetic' which comes from the Greek 'sympatheia', meaning 'fellow feeling'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

unsympathetic listener:

A person who does not provide emotional support or understanding.

Related Words

sympathetic:

Characterized by compassion or understanding.

compassionate:

Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

Slang Meanings of unsympathetic

Meaning: Cold

Example Sentence: That dude is so cold, he's unsympathetic to anyone's struggles.

Meaning: Stone-hearted

Example Sentence: She has a stone-hearted approach, completely unsympathetic to the situation.