UNAFFECTIONATE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

unaffectionate

adjective

Definition of unaffectionate

as in unloving

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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.

Recent Examples of unaffectionate By widening the lens, Clark is able to redirect the book’s gaze from the mother toward a quizzical, sometimes critical, but not unaffectionate portrait of two generations of political activism, with the attendant self-involvement and domestic negligence. — James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 Seward says Diana told her about her ex-husband's unaffectionate childhood with parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 21 Sep. 2020 Kyung, a Korean-American, grew up financially comfortable — surrounded by tutors, music lessons and other markers of success — but in loveless, unaffectionate surroundings. — Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 11 May 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unaffectionate

Adjective

Most of the other relationships in the movie are hopelessly corrupted or poisoned in some way, as Letty moves between an unloving mother and a vengeful former lover, and others whose closeness is a weapon to be feared.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 July 2026
At the start, David seems abrasive and unloving toward his own son and altogether too inviting toward John, who is eager to take over the biographical project that Jacob was angling for.

— Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026

Definition of unloving

Adjective

But although nearly half the region’s population is under age 18, its cities are often unfriendly places to grow up – crowded, poorly planned, and unsafe.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026
Gamers, developers and advocates, including USC experts and local gamers, warn the new owners and heavy debt could reshape EA’s content, spur layoffs and normalize more aggressive, consumer-unfriendly monetization across the industry.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfriendly

Adjective

However, his team describes Fred as a tyrant, who is uncaring and belligerent and micro-manages everything.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Other scholars, however, downplay the book’s diablerie, viewing the Pequod’s captain instead as an admirably heroic overreacher or a latter-day Prometheus facing down the gods, fate, the uncaring universe.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of uncaring

Adjective

OpenRouter’s worth rests on routing that stays indifferent to who owns the router.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Lawmakers simply closed their ears to the critics and boldly pushed ahead, either oblivious or indifferent to the consequences to Maryland taxpayers.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of indifferent

Adjective

However, claiming his birthright means surviving the Renaissance’s most ruthless rival — his own family, who refuse to accept him.

— Peter White, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
The higher Arsenal climb, the finer those margins become, and the more ruthless Arteta and Arsenal may have to be.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruthless

Adjective

Nilsson’s depiction of bodies past their prime conjures not the pitiless naturalism of Joan Semmel or Alice Neel, but something friskier, more delighted.

— Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
As with the others, the pitiless treatment only ends when they’re slaughtered.

— Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 18 May 2026

Definition of pitiless

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unaffecting

unaffectionate

unaffiliated

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“Unaffectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unaffectionate. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unaffectionate

adjective

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