unresponsively
unresponsively — adverb
1. in a manner that shows no verbal, emotional, or physical reaction even when a re
in a manner that shows no verbal, emotional, or physical reaction even when a response would normally be expected
Linh stared unresponsively at the menu, unable to decide what to order.
adverb + verb of perception (stare, sit, listen)
The witness sat unresponsively during the entire cross-examination, refusing to answer the lawyer.
Gabriel listened unresponsively as Soraya explained why the project had failed.
Hamza nodded unresponsively when the teacher asked if he understood the homework.
- blankly
more specific to facial expression and eye contact; 'stare blankly' is more common than 'stare unresponsively'
- passively
emphasises acceptance without resistance rather than a complete lack of reaction
- apathetically
carries a stronger sense of emotional indifference or lack of interest
- eagerly
implies a keen, positive reaction rather than simply any reaction at all
用法筆記
Typically modifies verbs that describe communication or visible behaviour, such as stare, listen, nod, or sit. Not used with verbs that express an emotional reaction, such as smile or laugh.
常見錯誤
unresponsively — adjective
- unresponsivelypositive
- more unresponsivelycomparative
- most unresponsivelysuperlative
1. failing to react or respond to something that would normally trigger a reaction,
failing to react or respond to something that would normally trigger a reaction, such as a request, a suggestion, or a change in the environment
The audience remained unresponsive to the comedian's jokes, offering only awkward silence.
unresponsive + to [something]
Sven sent three emails about the broken heater, but the landlord stayed completely unresponsive.
The children were tired and unresponsive after the long bus ride through the mountains.
Local residents complained that the council had been unresponsive to their concerns about road safety.
Iris knocked on the door twice, but the house remained dark and unresponsive.
- indifferent
suggests a conscious lack of concern rather than a simple failure to react
- passive
emphasises accepting things without pushing back, rather than a complete lack of response
- reactive
implies a quick or automatic response to stimuli
用法筆記
Commonly followed by the preposition to, which introduces the trigger for the expected reaction. The subject is often a person, an organisation, or an audience.
常見錯誤
2. showing no positive or expected reaction to a medical treatment, drug, or scient
showing no positive or expected reaction to a medical treatment, drug, or scientific stimulus
The patient's tumour was unresponsive to the first round of chemotherapy.
unresponsive + to [treatment] — medical context
Doctors classified the infection as unresponsive to standard antibiotics and prescribed a stronger drug.
Vinícius remained unresponsive after the crash, which worried the emergency team greatly.
Lab results confirmed that the bacteria were unresponsive to penicillin.
Aoi's skin rash was unresponsive to the cream the dermatologist had prescribed.
- resistant
more common for bacteria or infections that do not respond to drugs
- refractory
formal medical term; usually describes a disease or condition that does not respond to treatment
- responsive
in medical contexts, means showing improvement after treatment
用法筆記
Frequently used in medical writing and hospital reports. When describing a patient after an accident or injury, unresponsive can also mean unconscious or unable to wake up.