unresponsive

adjective

un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: not responsive
The patient was unresponsive.
an infection unresponsive to antibiotics
an unresponsive bureaucracy
Although they are able to locate their own food at two weeks of age, fledgling robins will still piteously beg handouts from their increasingly unresponsive father.Millard H. Sharp
unresponsively adverb
staring unresponsively
unresponsiveness noun

Examples of unresponsive 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.
When successfully performing an Offset Attack with the Insect Glaive's Descending Slash under certain conditions, the hunter freezes and becomes unresponsive to any controls. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Mangione had been unresponsive to his friend’s texts but eventually got in touch on July 9, law enforcement confirms, sending a detailed message that nobody understood him and life had become difficult. Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025 McCray allegedly punched Wilson four times in the chest, at which point Wilson fell to the floor, becoming unresponsive and appearing to have a seizure, according to the affidavit. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025 But the critics complain that too often KC Pet Project was unresponsive when people called to ask for assistance with dangerous dogs and about pets who were malnourished or mistreated. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unresponsive

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unresponsive was in 1768

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Cite this Entry

“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

unresponsive

adjective
un·​re·​spon·​sive ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce unresponsive (audio)
: not responsive (as to a stimulus or treatment)
an unresponsive ulcer
unresponsiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unresponsive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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