Unsympathetic

/ʌnˈsɪmpəˌθɛtɪk/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
lacking compassion or sympathy; indifferent or hostile to the feelings or needs of others.
His unsympathetic response to her emotional distress only deepened her sadness.
not having or showing any concern for someone else's problems or difficulties.
The boss was unsympathetic to the employees' complaints about their workload.
unresponsive or cold towards another person's feelings or circumstances.
She found it hard to connect with him because he was so unsympathetic towards her struggles.
showing no willingness to understand or support someone else's situation.
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

Slang Meanings

Cold
That dude is so cold, he's unsympathetic to anyone's struggles.
Stone-hearted
She has a stone-hearted approach, completely unsympathetic to the situation.