irresponsive
Failing to respond
Irresponsive describes someone or something that fails to respond or react when a response would be expected.
It overlaps with unresponsive but appears less frequently in modern usage.
A patient might be irresponsive to treatment, or a government irresponsive to citizens' concerns.
The committee remained irresponsive to repeated requests for clarification.
The word carries connotations of neglect or indifference rather than mere inability to respond.
Lacking interest or concern
- unmovedNot stirred physically/emotionally
- unconcernedFeeling no worry
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
nonchalant · impassive · stoic · phlegmatic · listless · passive · lethargic · emotionless
Not prone to reactions
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
- silentProducing no sound
- muteWithout voice or sound
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
nonreactive · insensate · lifeless · stagnant · static · unyielding · impervious · insusceptible
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- reservedRestrained in manner
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
remote · standoffish · uninvolved · disengaged · unapproachable · cold · cool · removed
indifferent
Lacking interest or concern
- unmovedNot stirred physically/emotionally
- unconcernedFeeling no worry
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
unfeeling · nonchalant · impassive · stoic · phlegmatic · listless · passive · lethargic · emotionless · unemotional
unreactive
Not prone to reactions
uncommunicative · nonreactive · insensate · lifeless · stagnant · static · unyielding · impervious · insusceptible · unaffected
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
disconnected · remote · standoffish · uninvolved · disengaged · unapproachable · cold · cool · removed · isolated
irresponsivesensitive
Easily affected emotionally
attuned · perceptive · aware · in tune · sympathetic
irresponsible, irresponsibly, irresponsibility, irresponsibilities