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

If God is divine Love itself, then hatred, fear, and unloving behavior cannot originate in His likeness.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of unloving

Adjective

And blondes will find a path that diverges—wintery vanilla for an aloof, icy look or buttery almond for a cozy blonde that still turns heads.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026
The world, in other words, is currently being steered by people who don’t like it very much, and Artificial makes the case that this should be very alarming, albeit in a way that’s frustratingly aloof.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of aloof

Adjective

China and Russia each have to manage relationships with 14 neighbors, many of which are unfriendly or carry resentments from histories of conflict.

— Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
The fan was greeted with some unfriendly chants on his way out of the ballpark.

— James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfriendly

Adjective

An online swarm of sleuths and influencers has been dissecting every detail of the case, developing theories that portray him as uncaring, unfaithful and even the murderer of his children.

— Ross Douthat, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
However, his team describes Fred as a tyrant, who is uncaring and belligerent and micro-manages everything.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of uncaring

Adjective

Life is a combination of spending time with the difficult ones, the indifferent ones and the awesome ones among them.

— Vinesh Sukumaran, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Police began showing up, flummoxed in the face of an irate attorney, indifferent third-party technicians, and insensate machines.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of indifferent

Adjective

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and his government were uninterested in such short-term solutions.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Critics claim that members are either uninterested in doing their job or more focused on showboating and gaining social media impressions than legislating.

— Scott Warren, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of uninterested

Adjective

About two months after his testimony, Pujo’s report mapped out in pitiless detail all the interrelationships between Morgan and his small network of industrialists.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
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

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unaffectionate

adjective

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