as in stubborn
not willing to do what someone wants or asks for; not cooperative
uncooperative children an uncooperative witness
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Recent Examples of uncooperative
Her sister, Jasmine (Jasmine Ashanti), a wild card auntie, arrives with wine and a saucily uncooperative attitude.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
What began as a routine call quickly escalated when officers entered the home with a property manager and encountered an uncooperative individual inside who claimed to be armed and barricaded inside, according to the Hermosa Beach Police Department.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
This parenting tip involves spanking a child or using another form of corporal punishment to discipline them for misbehaving, talking back, or being uncooperative.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
There might be more than one motive A person could walk into a convenience store to rob money and encounter an uncooperative clerk, changing the state of play.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
What began as a routine call quickly escalated when officers entered the home with a property manager and encountered an uncooperative individual inside who claimed to be armed and barricaded inside, according to the Hermosa Beach Police Department.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
This parenting tip involves spanking a child or using another form of corporal punishment to discipline them for misbehaving, talking back, or being uncooperative.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
There might be more than one motive A person could walk into a convenience store to rob money and encounter an uncooperative clerk, changing the state of play.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncooperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncooperative
Adjective
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Across the Rockies and beyond, many of our favorite mountains were haunted by unseasonably warm spikes and stubborn weather patterns that shut out snow for weeks on end.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
31 Mar. 2026
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For stubborn blockages, a plumber’s snake can help break things loose.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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All through the years in between, his willful yet easy-looking dominance carried his game to new heights of public enthusiasm, the sight of a charming, unmatchable demigod inspiring millions of ordinary Americans to hit the links.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The second ground is concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In mid-19th century Iran, painter Nowruz falls for a fearlessly defiant Roma fortune teller, sparking their desperate flight and a tragic saga echoing down generations, the synopsis runs.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Near the close of the No Kings rally in Lincolnwood on Saturday afternoon, the chants rang out from beneath the waving American flag with a defiant twist.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Luari dismisses that speculation, saying her problems are not tied to her rapid expansion, but rather uncontrollable financial setbacks.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
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These caps could eliminate the secret runway to uncontrollable superhuman capabilities while still allowing beneficial AI development.—
J. Xavier Prochaska,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Consciousness may be the most recalcitrant concept of all.—
Dan Turello,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
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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 7 Apr. 2026.
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