noncooperative
|non-coop-er-a-tive|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑːnkoʊəˈpɛrətɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.kəʊˈɒp(ə)rətɪv/
not willing to work together
Etymology
'noncooperative' originates from the Latin prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' joined to 'cooperative.' 'Cooperative' itself comes from Latin 'cooperari,' where 'co-' meant 'together' and 'operari' meant 'to work.'
'Cooperari' (Latin) passed into Late Latin and Old French forms (e.g. 'cooperer'/'coopérer') and then into English as 'cooperate' and the adjective 'cooperative.' The negative construction using English 'non-' produced the compound 'non-cooperative' in modern English.
Initially, the Latin root meant 'to work together.' Over time the compound 'noncooperative' developed the specific meaning 'not willing to work together; refusing to cooperate.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
unwilling to cooperate; not helpful or compliant.
The suspect was being noncooperative during the interview, refusing to answer most questions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 04:42