as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative
uncooperative children an uncooperative witness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of uncooperative
February’s planning could come apart, and someone could be uncooperative, which could challenge your confidence.
—
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
February’s planning could come apart — someone could be uncooperative which could challenge your confidence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputies contacted Mathis, who authorities said was uncooperative and denied involvement with the animals.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026
Police statements said that Ashlee, 40, was allegedly uncooperative with authorities from early on in the investigation.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
February’s planning could come apart — someone could be uncooperative which could challenge your confidence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputies contacted Mathis, who authorities said was uncooperative and denied involvement with the animals.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Jan. 2026
Police statements said that Ashlee, 40, was allegedly uncooperative with authorities from early on in the investigation.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
-
If that doesn’t solve the problem, try scrubbing stubborn spots with Bar Keeper’s Friend and a nonabrasive sponge.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Rusk recommends using wash and styling products that don’t contain silicones (like dimethicone), which can cause a stubborn coating to accumulate that clogs follicles on the scalp and prevents the hair from absorbing moisturizing ingredients.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Your 6th House of Work focuses under the willful Sun, which sextiles therapeutic Chiron in your 8th House of Shared Resources to support useful, sustainable adjustments.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
And his time was one too of witnessing the willful destruction of entire cultures, the taking of lands, the Trail of Tears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Other defiant moments on a global stage The NFL has long maintained guardrails around the halftime show, particularly when performances edge toward political commentary.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in person to a Republican congressional investigation into notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, apparently ending their defiant campaign of resistance.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Executives who dismiss culture as intangible or uncontrollable are misreading how today’s markets and consumers behave.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This is partially why even minor balances become uncontrollable if not dealt with immediately.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Consciousness may be the most recalcitrant concept of all.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Adams had carefully shepherded it through an often-recalcitrant City Council and through the gauntlet of demands coming from both the real estate lobby and pro-housing advocates.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncooperative. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
