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unsupportive

unsupportive

4 5.0
Does not give help or support to someone
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌn səˈpɔːr tɪv/
translation icon : poco solidario
  • Growing up in an unsupportive environment made it difficult for her to pursue her dreams.
  • unsupportive work environments
  • generally unsupportive
  • schools are unsupportive

They may say these cruel and dismissive and unsupportive things.

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Examples

  • In Ishann's case, his family was completely unsupportive of higher education.

    Academic text (2018)
  • You've been very cold and unsupportive of our dreams.

  • However, all those bits of evidence that exist to some degree suggest what might be a generally unsupportive life environment for Black students.

    Academic text (2012)
  • One of my adult friends grew up in a home that felt lonely and unsupportive.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Indeed, the assumption has been that African Americans are unsupportive of environmental issues.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Many felt that the staff in many places were unsupportive and unhelpful.

    Academic text (2004)
  • But in an unsupportive environment, they become more distorted, more hurt, more defensive.

  • A few months into a horribly unsupportive work environment, and I dried up completely.

    Blog text (9)
  • Noddings feels schools are generally unsupportive of students with genuine intellectual or intrinsic interests.

    Academic text (2003)
  • As such, homes and schools are often unsupportive and unsafe, increasing the likelihood of adverse behavioral outcomes for young African Americans.

    Academic text (2004)

Synonyms

dismissive
vsunsupportive
43 5.6

Acting as if someone or something is not important

is about not giving help or encouragement rather than contempt
unfavorable
vsunsupportive
  • US
31 4.5

Not good for success or approval

focuses instead on failing to give help or encouragement
unfriendly
vsunsupportive
22 1.9

Not kind or warm to other people

may include refusing help but mainly lacks friendly warmth
uncooperative
vsunsupportive
22 4.5

Not willing to help or work with others

includes not helping or encouraging even when cooperation matters
uncaring
vsunsupportive
18 4.2

Not showing concern for other people's feelings or needs

emphasizes absence of help or encouragement as well as emotion
unhelpful
vsunsupportive
17 3.0

Not giving useful help or advice

is broader, also meaning lack of encouragement or backing
unfeeling
vsunsupportive
14 5.9

Not showing sympathy or care for other people's feelings

may overlap but mainly concerns withholding help and encouragement
unsympathetic
vsunsupportive
7 4.9

Not feeling sorry for someone or caring about their problems

can result in not offering help or emotional encouragement
uncompassionate
vsunsupportive
1 7.3

Not caring when other people suffer

is broader, applying to both practical help and emotional backing
nonsupporting
vsunsupportive
5.3

Not giving help or holding something in place

is broader, also covering refusal to give moral backing
unencouraging
vsunsupportive
6.5

Something that makes people feel less hopeful or confident

also includes not offering practical assistance or help
unaccommodating
vsunsupportive
7.0

Not willing to help or change plans for others

covers that refusal plus any lack of encouragement or help

Antonyms

348 2.8

Willing to give help or comfort when someone needs it

73 1.9

Giving someone support or hope so they feel more confident

How Supportive

encouraging
73 1.9
supportive
348 2.8
helpful
689 1.0
neutral
218 3.6
unsupportive
4 5.0
unhelpful
17 3.0
hostile
194 4.6

Surface Forms

unsupportive positive

Morphology

unsupportive = supportive (transparent) = un + support + ive

Formed by adding the productive negation prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'supportive'; the meaning 'not supportive' is directly recoverable.

Etymology

Unsupportive starts with un- meaning 'not' and the rest comes from support, which means 'to hold up' or 'help'. So an unsupportive person is 'not' someone who holds you up, and that is why the word means not giving help or encouragement.