unhelpful

adjective

un·​help·​ful ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl How to pronounce unhelpful (audio)
Southern often -ˈhep-
also -ˈheəp-
Synonyms of unhelpfulnext
: offering no assistance : not helpful
a rude, unhelpful person
a confusing and unhelpful textbook
unhelpfully adverb
unhelpfulness noun

Examples of unhelpful 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.
In this context, the punch serves as a means for controlling unhelpful partners. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Mostly, Jamie is crushed by the weight of her own unfulfilled potential, further pointed out by her tinkering, emotionally unhelpful mother. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026 To keep a junk drawer from becoming overwhelming and therefore unhelpful. Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026 In part because of some unhelpful stereotypes. Harvard Business Review, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unhelpful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhelpful was circa 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Unhelpful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhelpful. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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