unresponsive
adjective
un·re·spon·sive
ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 
: not responsive
The patient was unresponsive.
an infection unresponsive to antibiotics
an unresponsive bureaucracy
Although they are able to locate their own food at two weeks of age, fledgling robins will still piteously beg handouts from their increasingly unresponsive father.—
Millard H. Sharp
Millard H. Sharp
unresponsively
adverb
staring unresponsively
unresponsiveness
noun
Examples of unresponsive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday, May 30, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 June 2025
Julie Leon, 65, was found unresponsive in her car on June 28, 2021 — the hottest day in Seattle's history.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 30 May 2025
Jones was found unresponsive in his cell during a medication distribution about 5:14 p.m. May 21.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
Authorities are investigating the suspicious death of an inmate at a Northern California prison after he was found unresponsive in his cell last week as correctional officers distributed medication.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unresponsive
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.
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 June 2025
Julie Leon, 65, was found unresponsive in her car on June 28, 2021 — the hottest day in Seattle's history.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 30 May 2025
Jones was found unresponsive in his cell during a medication distribution about 5:14 p.m. May 21.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
Authorities are investigating the suspicious death of an inmate at a Northern California prison after he was found unresponsive in his cell last week as correctional officers distributed medication.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unresponsive
Cite this Entry
“Unresponsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unresponsive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
unresponsive
adjective
un·re·spon·sive
ˌən-ri-ˈspän(t)-siv
: not responsive (as to a stimulus or treatment)
an unresponsive ulcer
unresponsiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share