unsympathetic
/ˌʌnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [ənsˌɪmpəθˈɛtɪk] /ˌʌnˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [ənsˌɪmpəθˈɛtɪk] /ˌən-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce unsympathetic (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unsympathetic — 形容詞
- unsympatheticpositive
- more unsympatheticcomparative
- most unsympatheticsuperlative
1. describes someone who does not feel or show any care for another person's pain,
冷漠；無情
對他人痛苦不關心的
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.
Mira 的狗過世時，她的主管完全冷漠無情，叫她別哭了快回去工作。
collocation: completely unsympathetic
The landlord was unsympathetic to Trang's complaints about the broken heating in the apartment.
房東對 Trang 關於公寓暖氣壞掉的投訴毫不關心。
pattern: unsympathetic + to + complaint
Andrew's unsympathetic reply to his friend's money troubles made everyone around the table uncomfortable.
Andrew 對朋友的金錢困境所做出的冷漠回應，讓在場所有人都感到不自在。
Aylin described her manager as an unsympathetic woman who never once asked how she was feeling after the accident.
Aylin 說她的主管是個冷漠的人，在她車禍後從未問過她的感受。
Mei's unsympathetic boss refused to give her time off after her grandmother passed away.
Mei 的主管在她祖母過世時拒絕讓她請假，態度冷漠無情。
- 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
不支持；反對
不贊同某想法或計劃的
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.
Mizuki 的父母不支持她打算在上大學前獨自旅行一年的計畫。
pattern: unsympathetic + to + plan
The committee remained unsympathetic to Tanvi's arguments about changing the long-standing voting system.
委員會對 Tanvi 關於改革長期投票制度的論點仍然不予支持。
Sumin found the council unsympathetic when she asked for more street lights in the dark neighbourhood.
Sumin 發現市議會不支持她要求在昏暗社區加裝路燈的請求。
The public was largely unsympathetic to the politician's attempts to defend the new tax law.
大眾普遍不支持這位政客為新稅法所做的辯護。
The bank manager was unsympathetic to the couple's request for more time to repay the loan.
銀行經理不答應這對夫妻要求延長還款期限的請求。
- 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
不討喜
個性冷漠不討人喜歡的
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.
Jude 發現他的新室友既冷淡又不討人喜歡，從來不加入任何談話。
The novel's main character is a wealthy businessman who comes across as deeply unsympathetic and selfish.
這部小說的主角是個有錢的商人，給人一種極不討喜又自私的印象。
collocation: deeply unsympathetic
A guest at the wedding reception made rude jokes, leaving a deeply unsympathetic impression on everyone.
婚宴上的一名賓客說了幾個不得體的笑話，讓大家對他留下極不討喜的印象。
Critics described the film's villain as a one-dimensional, unsympathetic character with no real motivation.
影評人形容這部電影的反派是個扁平、不討喜的角色，缺乏真正的動機。
Kwame tried to be friendly, but his unsympathetic manner drove people away.
Kwame 試著表現友善，但他不討人喜歡的態度把人都趕跑了。
- 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.