unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: 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.
The men were unresponsive as crews attempted to rescue them, according to NBC-DFW. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2025 That year, a dealer contacted the company and said there was an issue with the audio volume controls, which were unresponsive. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 13 June 2025 The pedestrian was unresponsive and St. Paul Fire Department medics took the woman to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025 The toddler was unresponsive by the time deputies arrived, and she was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the STPSO. Chris Spargo, People.com, 10 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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