uncooperative

adjective

un·​co·​op·​er·​at·​ive ˌən-kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce uncooperative (audio)
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
: marked by an unwillingness or inability to work with others : not cooperative
the suspect was uncooperative with investigators
an uncooperative witness
… he wonders whether it would be such a bad thing if their uncooperative nanny quit …Caitlin Flanagan
also : providing difficulty
struggled with an uncooperative corkscrew
uncooperative weather

Examples of uncooperative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Landon reportedly turned herself into police later that night but was initially uncooperative with officers. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 6 May 2025 At the hospital, Beltram showed signs of intoxication and was aggressive and uncooperative with Sacramento police officers, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025 An uncooperative Sheriff McDowell (Robert Patrick) takes the call. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025 Before the case was tried, Coolidge in March 1924 finally relented and forced an uncooperative Daugherty to resign. Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncooperative

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncooperative was in 1799

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Cite this Entry

“Uncooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncooperative. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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