non-responsive
non-responsive — adjective
1. failing to do anything when you give it commands or try to change how it behaves
failing to do anything when you give it commands or try to change how it behaves, especially a machine, program, or system.
The old printer went non-responsive and ignored every button Theo pressed.
subject is a machine or device
After the update, the banking app became non-responsive to every tap on the screen.
non-responsive to + noun for what it ignores
The brakes felt non-responsive, so Gabriela pulled the car over right away.
Engineers found the sensor non-responsive during the morning safety check.
- unresponsive
the more common spelling; means the same thing
- dead
informal; suggests the device shows no power or signal at all
- responsive
reacts quickly to commands or input
文法句型
non-responsive to + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a device, program, or control (printer, app, brakes); often paired with 'non-responsive to' naming the input it ignores.
2. refusing or failing to reply when someone asks you something or tries to reach y
refusing or failing to reply when someone asks you something or tries to reach you.
The witness stayed non-responsive when the lawyer asked about the missing money.
person stays silent under questioning
Our supplier has been non-responsive to emails for the whole week.
non-responsive to + noun for the ignored contact
Bilal grew non-responsive whenever his parents asked about his grades.
The customer line was non-responsive, so Anya wrote a complaint instead.
- uncommunicative
stresses unwillingness to share information
- evasive
suggests deliberately dodging the question
- forthcoming
willing to answer openly
文法句型
non-responsive to + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is a person or contact who chooses not to reply, not a machine that has failed.
3. of an illness, showing no improvement after a medicine or treatment is given.
of an illness, showing no improvement after a medicine or treatment is given.
The infection was non-responsive to the first antibiotic, so doctors tried a stronger one.
non-responsive to + treatment noun
Sofie's tumour stayed non-responsive after three rounds of chemotherapy.
Because the rash was non-responsive to the cream, the nurse booked more tests.
Doctors call the disease non-responsive once standard drugs no longer help.
- resistant
common in 'drug-resistant'; stresses active resistance to treatment
- refractory
formal medical term for a condition that will not respond
- treatable
able to be cured or improved by treatment
文法句型
non-responsive to + noun
用法筆記
Subject is an illness, tumour, or symptom, not the patient; almost always followed by 'to' plus the treatment that failed.
4. of a person, not moving, speaking, or reacting at all because they are knocked o
of a person, not moving, speaking, or reacting at all because they are knocked out or seriously ill.
Paramedics found the driver non-responsive and slumped over the wheel.
describes an unconscious person at a scene
When Daichi collapsed at the gym, he lay non-responsive on the floor.
The nurse shook the patient gently, but the old man stayed non-responsive.
After the fall, the toddler was non-responsive for a few frightening seconds.
- unconscious
stresses total loss of awareness
- comatose
stronger; describes a deep, lasting unconscious state
- alert
fully awake and reacting to surroundings
用法筆記
Subject is a person; the cause is loss of consciousness or grave illness. Distinguish from sense 2, where a person simply chooses not to reply.