unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
Synonyms of unresponsivenext
: not responsive
The patient was unresponsive.
an infection unresponsive to antibiotics
an unresponsive bureaucracy
Although they are able to locate their own food at two weeks of age, fledgling robins will still piteously beg handouts from their increasingly unresponsive father.—Millard H. Sharp
unresponsively adverb
staring unresponsively
unresponsiveness noun

Examples of unresponsive 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.
Amanda Goodsell was found unresponsive in her bed after taking kratom gummy supplements, according to Arizona’s Family. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 Upon arrival, officers discovered an unidentified male, approximately 30 to 35 years of age, unconscious and unresponsive inside the park. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 24 July 2026 The woman was brought to the hospital by family members and was unresponsive. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 Law enforcement sources have told The New York Post and other outlets that the man found unresponsive in Astoria Park apparently died by hanging. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unresponsive

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unresponsive was in 1768

Rhymes for unresponsive

See All Rhymes for unresponsive

Browse Nearby Words

unresponsible
unresponsive
unrest
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Cite this Entry

“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

unresponsive

adjective
un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: not responsive (as to a stimulus or treatment)
an unresponsive ulcer
unresponsiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unresponsive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unresponsive

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