unhelpful

/ʌnˈhelpfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈhelpfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl Southern often -ˈhep- also -ˈheəp-/ (ame, mw)

unhelpful — adjective

  • unhelpfulpositive
  • more unhelpfulcomparative
  • most unhelpfulsuperlative

1. failing to make a problem or a bad situation better; often making it more diffic

1.形容詞B1
釋義

failing to make a problem or a bad situation better; often making it more difficult instead

例句

Sayaka's comment about the budget was completely unhelpful and only upset the team.

collocation: completely unhelpful

The map the hotel gave us was old and unhelpful, so we got lost twice.

attributive use: unhelpful [noun]

同義詞
  • useless

    stronger — implies something has no value at all, not just that it fails to help in this situation

  • counterproductive

    stronger — actively makes the situation worse rather than simply not improving it

  • unproductive

    focuses on a lack of results, often for effort or meetings rather than for advice or tools

反義詞
  • helpful

    direct opposite: providing useful assistance or improvement

  • useful

    practical and effective in a given situation

  • constructive

    offering positive suggestions that help improve a situation

文法句型

unhelpful + to-infinitive

unhelpful + in + -ing form

用法筆記

Often describes advice, comments, information, or tools that should help but do not. The subject is usually an inanimate thing rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌The side effects of the medicine were unhelpful.
✅The side effects of the medicine were unpleasant.
💡'Unhelpful' is for things expected to help but don't; side effects are unwanted, not unhelpful.
❌This book is very unhelpful for learning Spanish — it has many mistakes.
✅This book is not helpful for learning Spanish
💡it has many mistakes.' — 'Unhelpful' is less common in positive declaratives about objects; 'not helpful' sounds more natural here.

2. showing an unwillingness to give help when requested, often with a rude or cold

2.形容詞B1
釋義

showing an unwillingness to give help when requested, often with a rude or cold attitude

例句

The librarian was unhelpful and told Sofie to look it up herself.

unhelpful (of a person in a service role)

Noa asked three shop assistants, but each one was just as unhelpful.

predicative use: [person] + was + unhelpful

同義詞
  • uncooperative

    stresses a refusal to work with others or follow instructions

  • obstructive

    stronger — actively creates barriers to block someone's progress

  • unfriendly

    focuses on a cold or unwelcoming manner rather than on refusing help

反義詞
  • helpful

    willing to assist or provide support when asked

  • supportive

    actively gives encouragement or help, especially in difficult situations

  • cooperative

    willing to work together towards a shared goal

文法句型

unhelpful + towards/to + person

用法筆記

Describes the behaviour or attitude of a person, not their feelings. A person can be unhelpful even if they intend to help but fail; the word usually implies a lack of effort or willingness.

常見錯誤

❌I felt very unhelpful when my friend asked for advice.
✅I felt unable to help when my friend asked for advice.
💡'Unhelpful' describes the person's external behaviour or attitude, not their internal feeling of being inadequate.
❌The teacher was unhelpful about the homework.
✅The teacher was not helpful about the homework.
💡'Was unhelpful' sounds stronger and more critical than many speakers intend; 'was not helpful' is often more neutral.