unsympathetic
/ˌʌnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənsˌɪmpəθˈɛtɪk] /ˌʌnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [ənsˌɪmpəθˈɛtɪk] /ˌən-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce unsympathetic (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unsympathetic — adjective
- unsympatheticpositive
- more unsympatheticcomparative
- most unsympatheticsuperlative
1. describes someone who does not feel or show any care for another person's pain,
describes someone who does not feel or show any care for another person's pain, sadness, or difficult situation, and refuses to offer kindness or understanding
When Mira's dog died, her boss was completely unsympathetic and told her to stop crying and get back to work.
collocation: completely unsympathetic
The landlord was unsympathetic to Trang's complaints about the broken heating in the apartment.
pattern: unsympathetic + to + complaint
Andrew's unsympathetic reply to his friend's money troubles made everyone around the table uncomfortable.
Aylin described her manager as an unsympathetic woman who never once asked how she was feeling after the accident.
Mei's unsympathetic boss refused to give her time off after her grandmother passed away.
- callous
stronger and more critical; suggests cruelty rather than mere lack of feeling
- indifferent
focuses on not caring rather than actively refusing to care; less emotional
- uncaring
similar strength but less formal; common in everyday speech
- cold-hearted
more informal and dramatic; implies a permanent part of someone's character
- sympathetic
the direct opposite; showing care and understanding
- compassionate
stronger and warmer than sympathetic; implies active kindness
文法句型
unsympathetic + to/towards + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is often a person in a position of authority (boss, landlord, manager, government official) who has the power to help but chooses not to. The preposition towards is slightly more common in British English, while to is more frequent in American English.
常見錯誤
2. not in favour of a particular idea, plan, action, or set of beliefs; refusing to
not in favour of a particular idea, plan, action, or set of beliefs; refusing to offer support or agreement
Mizuki's parents were unsympathetic to her plan to travel alone for a year before starting college.
pattern: unsympathetic + to + plan
The committee remained unsympathetic to Tanvi's arguments about changing the long-standing voting system.
Sumin found the council unsympathetic when she asked for more street lights in the dark neighbourhood.
The public was largely unsympathetic to the politician's attempts to defend the new tax law.
The bank manager was unsympathetic to the couple's request for more time to repay the loan.
- opposed
more direct and active; suggests someone who openly fights against something
- hostile
much stronger; suggests active antagonism rather than mere lack of support
- unreceptive
more formal; focuses on not being open to hearing new ideas
- unsupportive
neutral and widely used in everyday contexts
- supportive
the everyday opposite; showing agreement and encouragement
- receptive
suggests openness and willingness to listen or consider
文法句型
unsympathetic + to + noun phrase (idea, plan, proposal)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense refers to disagreement with an idea or course of action, not coldness toward a person's suffering. The object of the preposition is always an abstract noun (plan, proposal, argument, view) or a person representing that view.
常見錯誤
3. having a character or nature that makes other people dislike you; unfriendly, co
having a character or nature that makes other people dislike you; unfriendly, cold, and hard to like
Jude found his new flatmate to be cold and unsympathetic, never joining in any conversation.
The novel's main character is a wealthy businessman who comes across as deeply unsympathetic and selfish.
collocation: deeply unsympathetic
A guest at the wedding reception made rude jokes, leaving a deeply unsympathetic impression on everyone.
Critics described the film's villain as a one-dimensional, unsympathetic character with no real motivation.
Kwame tried to be friendly, but his unsympathetic manner drove people away.
- unpleasant
broader and more common; covers all kinds of negative impressions
- disagreeable
slightly more formal; focuses on the effect someone has on others
- unlikable
more informal and direct; suggests the speaker's personal reaction
文法句型
unsympathetic + noun (describing a person or character)
用法筆記
This sense is often used when describing characters in books, films, or plays, or when talking about someone whose general personality is unpleasant — not just their reaction to a specific situation.