ungrateful

[ uhn-greyt-fuhl ]

adjective

1. unappreciative; not displaying gratitude; not giving due return or recompense for benefits conferred:

   ungrateful heirs.

2. unpleasant; distasteful; repellent:

   an ungrateful task.

ungrateful

/ ʌnˈɡreɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. not grateful or thankful
2. unrewarding or unpleasant; thankless
3. (of land) failing to increase fertility in response to cultivation

Derived Forms

• unˈgratefulness, noun
• unˈgratefully, adverb

Other Words From

• un·grateful·ly adverb
• un·grateful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ungrateful¹

First recorded in 1545–55; un- ¹ + grateful

Example Sentences

While conceding that the story was “much bigger than Eileen Gu,” Fox News host Will Cain told Tucker Carlson Tonight that it was “ungrateful” of Gu to “betray” and “turn her back” on America.

From Time

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I am tired of coming home with bags of trinket-y stuff that lasts for a few days before it becomes plastic trash.

From Washington Post

So it was very hard for me to accept that I was struggling because I didn’t want to seem ungrateful.

From Time

Republicans are furious that corporations appear so ungrateful.

From Washington Post

I wanted to take it back, but he pouted so much about how ungrateful I was that I just let it go.

From Washington Post

“This may sound ungrateful but if you want to protect yourself, you may want to stay away,” she continues.

From The Daily Beast

I know one shouldn't be ungrateful, but what is it about people giving your kids ridiculous presents when you are on holiday?

From The Daily Beast

There will be tears, ungrateful betrayals, but at some point—if you keep your faith—the problem child will grow up.

From The Daily Beast

Small children are ungrateful; to do one a favor is, from a business point of view, about as shrewd as making a subprime mortgage.

From The Daily Beast

No, no,” added Mr. Pickwick more cheerfully, “it would be selfish and ungrateful.

From Project Gutenberg

"This is the most ungrateful outfit of greasers I ever met up with," cried Clip, hurrying toward the second man.

From Project Gutenberg

I am grateful—voyons—if anybody ever says Aristide Pujol is ungrateful, he is a liar.

From Project Gutenberg

Somehow or other the maternal rôle, which had been so suddenly thrown upon Georgina, had become not ungrateful to her.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a sweet revenge to a man who loves passionately to make an ungrateful mistress appear still more so, by his very actions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• selfish