unaffectionate

adjective

un·​af·​fec·​tion·​ate ˌən-ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce unaffectionate (audio)
: not showing affection or fondness : not affectionate
lived with an unaffectionate aunt
an unaffectionate nickname
unaffectionately adverb
… the chronically tardy Metro No. 8—unaffectionately known as the "Late" … The Seattle Times

Examples of unaffectionate 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.
But in conversations with his long-suffering wife Louisa and his stern mother Abigail Adams, a less noble side of the man is laid bare: absentee husband, cold, unaffectionate father and inflexible, unlikable politician. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2020 Seward says Diana told her about her ex-husband's unaffectionate childhood with parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 21 Sep. 2020 Kyung, a Korean-American, grew up financially comfortable — surrounded by tutors, music lessons and other markers of success — but in loveless, unaffectionate surroundings. Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 11 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unaffectionate was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near unaffectionate

Cite this Entry

“Unaffectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unaffectionate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unaffectionate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!