unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

1

: not pleasing or mild : inclement

an unkind climate

2

: lacking in kindness or sympathy : harsh, cruel

How could you be so unkind?

—often used with to

regretted being unkind to her little brother

Fate was unkind to them. [=they were unlucky]

unkindness

ˌən-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

noun

Examples of unkind in a Sentence

It was unkind of you not to invite her.

How could you be so unkind?

Recent Examples on the Web

All of this has just been ways to use pressure tactics to make broadcasters who say unkind things about the president pay a price. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026

The 10th innings were unkind to the Sox. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

But there’s something particularly special about female friendships—especially when the world feels unstable and unkind. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Mar. 2026

At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unkind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined
• enshrined

Kids Definition

unkind

adjective

un·​kind ˌən-ˈkīnd 

: not kind or sympathetic

an unkind remark

unkindly adverb

unkindness

-ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

noun