unkind
Lacking in compassion
Unkind describes behavior or words that show a lack of consideration for others' feelings—harsh, thoughtless, or deliberately hurtful.
That was an unkind thing to say.
The word suggests coldness or indifference rather than outright cruelty.
An unkind cut is a wounding remark.
Fate or circumstances can also be unkind: The years have been unkind to him.
Willfully causing suffering
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- nastyDeeply unpleasant or spiteful
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
spiteful · vindictive · malevolent · wicked · hateful · hurtful · venomous · sadistic
Cruelly insensitive to others
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- unsympatheticWithout pity or understanding
- uncaringLacking emotional concern
uncompassionate · indifferent · heartless · cold-hearted · hardhearted · stony · apathetic · uncharitable
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- gruffHarsh in manner
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
curt · abrasive · cutting · biting · caustic · acerbic · sharp · severe
Causing emotional pain
- woundingCausing physical injury
- painfulCausing hurt or ache
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- stingingCausing sharp pain
bruising · damaging · injurious · offensive · insulting · demeaning · degrading · humiliating
Not welcoming or warm
- unwelcomingHostile to guests
- coldLow temperature state
- frostyCold or unwelcoming
- icyFrozen or unfriendly
aloof · standoffish · distant · cool · chilly · inhospitable · unapproachable · unsociable
cruel
Willfully causing suffering
vicious · spiteful · vindictive · malevolent · wicked · hateful · hurtful · venomous · sadistic · barbarous
callous
Cruelly insensitive to others
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- unsympatheticWithout pity or understanding
uncaring · uncompassionate · indifferent · heartless · cold-hearted · hardhearted · stony · apathetic · uncharitable · unmerciful
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
brusque · curt · abrasive · cutting · biting · caustic · acerbic · sharp · severe · rough
hurtful
Causing emotional pain
stinging · bruising · damaging · injurious · offensive · insulting · demeaning · degrading · humiliating · upsetting
unfriendly
Not welcoming or warm
- unwelcomingHostile to guests
- coldLow temperature state
- frostyCold or unwelcoming
icy · aloof · standoffish · distant · cool · chilly · inhospitable · unapproachable · unsociable · unwarm
- U-wordsugly, ultimate, ultra, umbrella, unable
- meanmean, cruel, nasty, hurtful, spiteful
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- harshbiting, bitter, brutal, caustic, cruel
- selfish traitsselfish, greedy, self-centered, self-absorbed, egotistical
- unfriendlyunfriendly, hostile, cold, cool, distant
unkindkind
Type or caring
kindly · kind-hearted · kindhearted · gentle · compassionate