uncooperative

Imagine trying to build a tower of blocks with someone who keeps knocking them down - that person is being uncooperative. It means they are not willing to help or work with you, and they often make things harder than they need to be. A child who refuses to share, a witness who will not answer questions, or a teammate who will not join in are all examples of someone acting this way. The word usually suggests more than simple disagreement.

Think of it like this: cooperative means working together, and uncooperative is the opposite - refusing to join in. You might describe a difficult negotiation as "uncooperative" if one side refuses to work toward a solution. Sometimes, this comes from stubbornness, and other times from distrust, fear, or disagreement.

To be uncooperative means to refuse to assist, collaborate, or comply with others. It goes beyond simply disagreeing; it implies a deliberate unwillingness to work with someone toward a common goal. This can appear in many ways - from passive resistance, like ignoring requests, to active obstruction, like deliberately hindering progress.

You might describe a witness in a legal case as uncooperative if they refuse to answer questions truthfully or at all. A child who consistently refuses to follow instructions is being uncooperative. In business, an uncooperative employee might sabotage team projects or withhold crucial information. Even animals can be described this way – "The horse was uncooperative and refused to enter the trailer."

The context often dictates why someone is uncooperative. It could stem from a deep-seated disagreement, distrust of others, stubbornness, or even fear. However, regardless of the reason, being uncooperative generally creates conflict and makes achieving shared objectives much more difficult.

It's important to distinguish "uncooperative" from simply having a different opinion. Someone can disagree with you respectfully and still be willing to work towards a solution – that's not uncooperative. But if they refuse to even engage in the discussion, or actively try to undermine your efforts, then they are definitely being uncooperative.