Unhelpful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl/ un·help·ful

Meaning & Definition of Unhelpful

Unhelpful (adjective)

  1. offering no assistance, not helpful

Unhelpful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in bad, harmful

    similar: bad, damaging, deleterious, disadvantageous, harmful, injurious, unfavorable
    opposite: conducive, facilitative, advantageous, beneficial, favorable, helpful, profitable, propitious, salutary

  2. as in useless, impractical

    similar: impractical, unusable, useless, unenlightening, unilluminating, uninformative, uninstructive
    opposite: educational, educative, enlightening, illuminating, informational, informative, informatory, instructional, instructive, comprehensive, copious, detailed, full, communicatory, edifying, elucidative, explanatory

  3. as in rude, impolite

    similar: ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, uncivil, unmannerly, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, unthinking, malevolent, malicious, mean, spiteful, inhospitable, unkind, unkindly, inattentive, uncaring, unheeding
    opposite: attentive, considerate, kind, solicitous, thoughtful, brotherly, good, good-hearted, helpful, hospitable, kindhearted, kindly, neighborly, nice, caring, compassionate, sympathetic, tender

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unhelpful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unhelpful:

bad, damaging, deleterious, disadvantageous, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, impractical, unusable, useless, unenlightening, unilluminating, uninformative, uninstructive, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, uncivil, unmannerly, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, unthinking, malevolent, malicious, mean, spiteful, inhospitable, unkind, unkindly, inattentive, uncaring, unheeding

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unhelpful

Words with the opposite meaning of Unhelpful:

conducive, facilitative, advantageous, beneficial, favorable, helpful, profitable, propitious, salutary, educational, educative, enlightening, illuminating, informational, informative, informatory, instructional, instructive, comprehensive, copious, detailed, full, communicatory, edifying, elucidative, explanatory, attentive, considerate, kind, solicitous

Word Forms of Unhelpful

Derived words: unhelpfully (adverb), unhelpfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Unhelpful

First known use: circa 1616

Frequently Asked Questions about Unhelpful

What does "Unhelpful" mean?

"Unhelpful" means offering no assistance, not helpful. As an adjective, it is defined as: offering no assistance, not helpful. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unhelpful"?

Other words for "Unhelpful" include bad, damaging, deleterious, disadvantageous, harmful, injurious, unfavorable and impractical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unhelpful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unhelpful"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unhelpful". Common alternatives include bad, damaging, deleterious, disadvantageous, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, impractical, unusable and useless.

What is the opposite of "Unhelpful"?

Antonyms of "Unhelpful" include conducive, facilitative, advantageous, beneficial, favorable, helpful, profitable and propitious.

Is "Unhelpful" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unhelpful" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unhelpful"?

"Unhelpful" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl/ and divided into syllables as un·help·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Unhelpful"?

First known use: circa 1616.

What is another word for "Unhelpful" meaning "as in bad, harmful"?

When "Unhelpful" (adjective) means as in bad, harmful, synonyms include bad, damaging, deleterious, disadvantageous, harmful and injurious. Opposites in this sense include conducive, facilitative, advantageous and beneficial.