unhelpful
adjective
un·help·ful ˌən-ˈhelp-fəl 
Southern often -ˈhep-,
also -ˈheəp-
: offering no assistance : not helpful
a rude, unhelpful person
a confusing and unhelpful textbook
unhelpfully adverb
unhelpfulness noun
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web A day earlier, Beijing announced fresh drills after another group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen—an event Mr. Qin called provocative and unhelpful. 
Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 Aerosol scientists have long complained that the 6-foot social distancing guidance was arbitrary and unhelpful because the virus that causes Covid-19 can float through the air for greater distances. Brenda Goodman And Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, 11 Aug. 2022 Users with disabilities have long complained that CAPTCHAs are unhelpful and difficult to overcome, so this will be of even greater help to them. David Phelan, Forbes, 20 June 2022 Hurwitz believes that focusing your attention on this mystical ‘block of time’ is unhelpful. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 Utah, on the other hand, is the worst, and its solutions are unorthodox and unhelpful. Peter Weber, The Week, 27 June 2022 However, Republican critics have noted the recent mass shootings in Denmark and South Africa and argued such events are evidence that restrictions on gun rights are unhelpful. Michael Lee, Fox News, 14 July 2022 Since the user won’t get prompts like that in real life, your results will be unhelpful. Kevin Philpott, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Cost burden is another formulaic answer to housing problems that is not only unhelpful, but leads local governments to set unrealistic targets for spending on new subsidized housing construction. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 3 June 2022 See More
Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 Aerosol scientists have long complained that the 6-foot social distancing guidance was arbitrary and unhelpful because the virus that causes Covid-19 can float through the air for greater distances. Brenda Goodman And Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, 11 Aug. 2022 Users with disabilities have long complained that CAPTCHAs are unhelpful and difficult to overcome, so this will be of even greater help to them. David Phelan, Forbes, 20 June 2022 Hurwitz believes that focusing your attention on this mystical ‘block of time’ is unhelpful. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 Utah, on the other hand, is the worst, and its solutions are unorthodox and unhelpful. Peter Weber, The Week, 27 June 2022 However, Republican critics have noted the recent mass shootings in Denmark and South Africa and argued such events are evidence that restrictions on gun rights are unhelpful. Michael Lee, Fox News, 14 July 2022 Since the user won’t get prompts like that in real life, your results will be unhelpful. Kevin Philpott, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Cost burden is another formulaic answer to housing problems that is not only unhelpful, but leads local governments to set unrealistic targets for spending on new subsidized housing construction. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 3 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1616, in the meaning defined above
unhelpful
adjective
1
as in harmful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- harmful
- damaging
- unfavorable
- bad
- injurious
- deleterious
- disadvantageous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- helpful
- conducive
- beneficial
- favorable
- advantageous
- facilitative
- profitable
- salutary
- propitious
2
as in impractical
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impractical
- useless
- unusable
- uninformative
- unenlightening
- uninstructive
- unilluminating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- informative
- instructive
- enlightening
- educational
- instructional
- illuminating
- informational
- educative
- detailed
- comprehensive
- copious
- full
- explanatory
- informatory
- edifying
- elucidative
- communicatory
3
as in impolite
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impolite
- thoughtless
- inconsiderate
- rude
- uncivil
- unmannerly
- spiteful
- unthinking
- ill-mannered
- unkind
- malevolent
- malicious
- ill-bred
- inhospitable
- heedless
- unkindly
- uncaring
- inattentive
- unheeding
- mean
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- helpful
- kind
- thoughtful
- solicitous
- attentive
- considerate
- good
- nice
- hospitable
- kindly
- sympathetic
- kindhearted
- neighborly
- brotherly
- compassionate
- caring
- good-hearted
- tender