unsisterly

Two sisters share an unsisterly silence across the dinner table.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not characteristic of or appropriate for a sister: "unsisterly" describes behavior, actions, or attitudes that lack the kindness, affection, or loyalty typically expected between sisters. It implies a failure to show sisterly warmth or support.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Her unsisterly remarks hurt her younger sibling deeply. (The comments were not kind or supportive like a sister should be.)
  • It was an unsisterly act to ignore her sister's pleas for help. (The behavior showed a lack of sisterly concern.)
  • The rivalry between them felt unsisterly, more like that of strangers. (Their relationship lacked the closeness typical of sisters.)

Advanced Usage

• "to behave in an unsisterly manner": to act without the expected kindness or loyalty of a sister.

  • She behaved in an unsisterly manner by gossiping about her sister's secrets. (She acted disloyally and unkindly.)

• "unsisterly competition": rivalry that is harsh or unkind, unlike healthy sibling competition.

  • The unsisterly competition for their parents' attention caused lasting resentment. (The rivalry was excessively harsh and unkind.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sisterly (adj): characteristic of or befitting a sister; kind, affectionate, or supportive.

  • She offered her sisterly advice with warmth and care. (Advice given in a kind, sister-like way.)

• Unsisterliness (n): the quality or state of being unsisterly.

  • His unsisterliness was evident in his constant criticism. (His lack of sisterly qualities was obvious.)

Synonyms

• Unkind: lacking kindness or sympathy.
• Unfriendly: not friendly or warm.
• Unloving: lacking affection or care.

Antonyms

• Sisterly: kind and affectionate like a sister.
• Loving: showing deep affection.
• Supportive: providing encouragement or help.

Related Idioms

• No love lost between them: used to describe mutual dislike or lack of affection, often between siblings.

  • There was no love lost between the sisters after the unsisterly argument. (They disliked each other due to the unkind behavior.)

• Blood is thicker than water: a proverb suggesting family bonds should be strong, often contrasted with unsisterly behavior.

  • Despite their unsisterly fight, blood is thicker than water, and they eventually reconciled. (Family ties ultimately prevailed over the unkind behavior.)