VocabDictionary

unsympathetic

/ˌʌn.sɪm.pəˈθet.ɪk/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Not feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy; lacking compassion or understanding for the feelings or troubles of others.

Example Sentences:
  • He was entirely unsympathetic to her plight, suggesting she should have planned better.
  • The manager gave an unsympathetic response when I explained why I was late.
2.adjective

Not in agreement or harmony with a particular idea, person, or cause.

Example Sentences:
  • The board of directors remained unsympathetic to the proposed changes in company policy.
  • She felt unsympathetic toward the radical political movement.
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Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “unsympathetic”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'un-' (not) + 'sympathetic', which originates from the Greek 'sympathetikos' (having fellow feeling). The term evolved from the 17th-century concept of 'sympathy' as a physical or occult influence between objects, eventually shifting to its modern psychological sense of sharing or understanding another's feelings.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

UN-sympathetic: You are UNable to feel the SYMPATHY of others.

Frequently Asked Questions About “unsympathetic

1. What is the meaning of “unsympathetic” in English?

In English, unsympathetic (adjective) is defined as: “Not feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy; lacking compassion or understanding for the feelings or troubles of others.”.

2. How do you use “unsympathetic” in a sentence?

He was entirely unsympathetic to her plight, suggesting she should have planned better.

3. What are English synonyms of “unsympathetic”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “unsympathetic”?

Derived from the prefix 'un-' (not) + 'sympathetic', which originates from the Greek 'sympathetikos' (having fellow feeling). The term evolved from the 17th-century concept of 'sympathy' as a physical or occult influence between objects, eventually shifting to its modern psychological sense of sharing or understanding another's feelings.