unkind

[ uhn-kahynd ]

adjective

, un·kind·er, un·kind·est.

1. lacking in kindness or mercy; severe.

unkind

/ ʌnˈkaɪnd /

adjective

1. lacking kindness; unsympathetic or cruel
2. archaic.
   1. (of weather) unpleasant
   2. (of soil) hard to cultivate

Derived Forms

• unˈkindly, adverb
• unˈkindness, noun

Other Words From

• un·kindness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkind¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; un- ¹, kind ¹

Example Sentences

Urfan Sharif described his parenting as "very bad" and accepted he was unkind and cruel under cross-examination at the Old Bailey.

From BBC

I ask both men whether they can understand how some women would find their presence intimidating, unkind and un-Christian - especially if they have had difficult experiences with men.

From BBC

As Reason’s Damon Root points out, “This is the same Trump who favors government censorship of the internet in order to suppress speech that he finds objectionable. It's the same Trump who favors gutting libel laws in order to make it easier for him to silence journalists who write unkind things about him. It's the same Trump who wants the government to forcibly shutter houses of worship in which people might say, read, or think unpopular things.”

From Salon

Many of the coders, digital marketers, and Big Tech employees in attendance later shared their thoughts on this declaration of war, with one observer who is also “not a fan of” WP Engine still calling the oratory “irresponsible, unkind, and malicious at worst.”

From Slate

One of the issues troubling some couples this year is physical attraction, and the experts have have reprimanded Adam and Casper for their "unkind" words and "nonsense" excuses as they have both said they are not attracted to "curvy girls".

From BBC

Related Words

• cruel
• harsh
• hateful
• insensitive
• malicious
• nasty
• spiteful
• uncaring
• unfriendly