unhelpful

adjective

un·​help·​ful ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl How to pronounce unhelpful (audio)
 Southern often  -ˈhep-,
 also  -ˈheəp-
: offering no assistance : not helpful
a rude, unhelpful person
a confusing and unhelpful textbook
unhelpfully adverb
unhelpfulness noun

Examples of unhelpful 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.
People who rely too much on trackers may change their habits in unhelpful ways, like spending extra time in bed just to meet sleep goals. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 At first, Matty seems just as passive and unhelpful during this week’s case. Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025 Yes, reform of US foreign aid is desperately needed but these draconian measures are unhelpful. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025 George Clooney stars as a handsome war correspondent who comes to cover the Potsdam negotiations, Tobey Maguire plays the sociopathic soldier whose death sparks the plot, and Cate Blanchett plays the Jewish prostitute who both men love in their own unhelpful ways. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unhelpful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhelpful was circa 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Unhelpful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhelpful. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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