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

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

You know, just really unkind self thoughts that I try really hard not to harbor anymore, but they sneak in because we live in a fat-phobic society.

From Los Angeles Times

It said in the weeks before Brianna was killed, Jenkinson described hearing voices that were "saying unkind things and putting her down".

From BBC

Sansom gave Shardlake a deformed spine — unkind folks call him “crookback” — and, along with the prosthetics, Hughes, born with radial dysplasia, brings his own foreshortened, twisted right arm.

From Los Angeles Times

But such magic tends to disappear under the humbling fluorescents of a corner store, particularly unkind to drag makeup.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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