unresponsive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unresponsive to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of response or reaction to something, such as a request, stimulus, or situation. Example: "The patient remained unresponsive to verbal commands, indicating a possible medical emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was unresponsive to the group's entreaties.

The New Yorker

People will be unresponsive to him at their peril".

The New York Times

It is simply too unresponsive to popular will.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wilson, unresponsive to pleas for compromise, appeared uncompromising.

The New Yorker

But TV debate formats are generally unresponsive to change.

The Guardian

Some pubs were unresponsive to foreigners, or "blow-ins".

The New York Times - Food

Local government is unresponsive to the needs of the people.

The New York Times

Another potential partner, Green Left, was unresponsive to offers.

The Economist

He feels they have been unresponsive to local needs.

The New York Times

These numb the targeted areas and make them unresponsive to touching by other men.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But critics say his regime has become increasingly corrupt and unresponsive to popular grievances.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with specific stimuli (e.g. "treatment", "pleas", "commands") to clarify exactly what is being ignored.

Common error

Do not use "unresponsive to" when you actually mean "irresponsible for". While both describe a failure of some kind, being "unresponsive to" something indicates a lack of reaction, whereas being "irresponsible for" something indicates a failure to fulfill a duty or obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unresponsive to" functions as an adjective phrase where the adjective "unresponsive" is modified by a prepositional phrase starting with "to". According to Ludwig, this structure is used to link a subject's state of inactivity or resistance to a specific external stimulus or trigger. It serves to qualify the relationship between a cause and a failed effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "unresponsive to" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct phrase frequently used across scientific, medical, and journalistic fields. Ludwig analysis shows it is most effective when documenting a failure to react to specific stimuli, such as medical treatments or public demands. It carries a more objective tone than synonyms like "indifferent", making it ideal for technical reports or formal critiques. Its high frequency in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Nature confirms its status as a reliable staple for professional English writing, particularly when describing resistance, clinical non-reaction, or political inertia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impervious to

Suggests a stronger, more literal sense of being unable to be affected or penetrated.

indifferent to

Focuses on a psychological or emotional lack of interest rather than a mechanical failure to react.

immune to

Implies a protected state or a built-up resistance, common in medical or metaphorical contexts.

resistant to

Suggests an active opposition or a structural inability to change when prompted.

insensitive to

Highlights a lack of sensitivity or awareness to external stimuli.

unaffected by

A more passive construction focusing on the result of the stimulus rather than the subject’s state.

unmoved by

Often used for emotional contexts where a plea or event fails to provoke a reaction.

callous to

Adds a moral or ethical weight, suggesting a cruel lack of feeling.

apathetic toward

Shifts the focus to a complete lack of concern or enthusiasm.

oblivious to

Implies that the lack of response is due to not noticing the stimulus at all.

FAQs

How to use "unresponsive to" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a subject failing to react, such as "The patient was "unresponsive to" the new medication" or "The administration remained "unresponsive to" the students' demands".

What can I say instead of "unresponsive to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "impervious to", "immune to" or "indifferent to".

Which is correct, "unresponsive to" or "unresponsive of"?

The correct preposition is always "to". Saying "unresponsive of" is grammatically incorrect in English.

What is the difference between "unresponsive to" and "insensitive to"?

While both describe a lack of reaction, "unresponsive to" is often more clinical or objective, whereas "insensitive to" often implies a social or emotional lack of tact or awareness.