uncooperative

adjective

un·​co·​op·​er·​at·​ive ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce uncooperative (audio)
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: marked by an unwillingness or inability to work with others : not cooperative
the suspect was uncooperative with investigators
an uncooperative witness
… he wonders whether it would be such a bad thing if their uncooperative nanny quit …Caitlin Flanagan
also : providing difficulty
struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew
uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the fight, Caputo continued to be uncooperative, according to the report, including with the EMT who checked her injuries. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025 The president recently threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on the EU, arguing the Europeans have been uncooperative and that negotiations haven’t gone far enough. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 June 2025 Police said the man was uncooperative and would not say who shot him or why. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 3 June 2025 If the driver is uncooperative or flees the scene, let the police handle it. Josh Max, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncooperative

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncooperative was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncooperative. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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