unsympathetic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not showing understanding, concern, or compassion for someone's difficulties

   The official was unsympathetic when she explained why the payment would be late.

2. 2
   adj

   not approving of or favorably disposed toward a person, idea, or request

   The committee remained unsympathetic to proposals that would weaken the safety rules.

3. 3
   adj

   not in harmony with the style or character of something

   Critics called the glass extension unsympathetic to the old stone house.

Formed from un- + sympathetic. Sympathetic entered English through Late Latin sympatheticus from Greek sympathetikos, from sympatheia, "fellow feeling," built from syn-, "together," + pathos, "feeling or suffering." The negative prefix produced both the emotional sense "without compassion" and the broader sense "not favorably disposed."

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