uncooperative

adjective

un·​co·​op·​er·​at·​ive ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce uncooperative (audio)
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: marked by an unwillingness or inability to work with others : not cooperative
the suspect was uncooperative with investigators
an uncooperative witness
… he wonders whether it would be such a bad thing if their uncooperative nanny quit …Caitlin Flanagan
also : providing difficulty
struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew
uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative 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.
As a result, public servants are very, very reluctant to divulge information and are often uncooperative. Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 Trump recalled Esposito having a baseball bat under his desk and, in his dotage, swinging a cane at uncooperative elements. John Ganz, airmail.news, 8 Feb. 2025 Due to the stroke, according to the lawsuit, Rhines appeared confused and was unable to follow the orders of officers who accused her of being uncooperative. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 Trump used his social media post to repeat his complaints that Canada has been uncooperative, despite decades of friendship and partnerships that range from World War II to the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Fabiola Sánchez, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncooperative

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncooperative was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncooperative. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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