noncooperative
Not working together
Noncooperative describes a refusal or failure to work together with others toward a shared goal.
A noncooperative witness declines to answer questions or provide useful information.
In game theory, noncooperative games are those where players act independently rather than forming binding agreements—each pursues their own interest without coordinating strategies.
The term often carries negative connotations, suggesting obstruction or unhelpfulness: The suspect remained noncooperative throughout the interrogation.
Aggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- oppositionalInclined to oppose
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
confrontational · conflicting · competing · rivalrous · zero-sum · cutthroat · dog-eat-dog · winner-take-all
Refusing to change course
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
- obdurateStubbornly refusing to change
headstrong · bullheaded · mulish · pigheaded · stiff-necked · unbending · adamant · immovable
Resisting authority or control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- contumaciousStubbornly rebellious toward authority
mutinous · resistant · dissenting · noncompliant · willful · refractory · contrary · intractable
Affecting one side only
- soloPerformance by one
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- self-interestedConcerned with personal gain
- free agentUnsigned professional seeking employment
lone wolf · going alone · separatist · nonparticipating · opting out · abstaining · uninvolved · detached
Failing to react or reply
- unsupportiveNot giving encouragement
- unaccommodatingUnwilling to help others
- obstructiveCausing deliberate interference
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
evasive · tight-lipped · withholding · difficult · hindering · impeding · blocking · thwarting
hostile
Aggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- oppositionalInclined to oppose
contentious · confrontational · conflicting · competing · rivalrous · zero-sum · cutthroat · dog-eat-dog · winner-take-all · competitive
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
obdurate · headstrong · bullheaded · mulish · pigheaded · stiff-necked · unbending · adamant · immovable · dogged
rebellious
Resisting authority or control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
contumacious · mutinous · resistant · dissenting · noncompliant · willful · refractory · contrary · intractable · balky
unilateral
Affecting one side only
- soloPerformance by one
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- self-interestedConcerned with personal gain
free agent · lone wolf · going alone · separatist · nonparticipating · opting out · abstaining · uninvolved · detached · nonaligned
unresponsive
Failing to react or reply
- unsupportiveNot giving encouragement
- unaccommodatingUnwilling to help others
- obstructiveCausing deliberate interference
stonewalling · evasive · tight-lipped · withholding · difficult · hindering · impeding · blocking · thwarting · foot-dragging
noncooperativecooperative
Jointly operated enterprise
collaborative · working together · collegial · coordinated · synergistic
noncooperativecooperative
Jointly operated enterprise
compliant · helpful · accommodating · obliging · amenable