ungrateful

American  

[uhn-greyt-fuhl] / ʌnˈgreɪt fəl /

adjective

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

   ungrateful heirs.

2. unpleasant; distasteful; repellent.

   an ungrateful task.

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ungrateful British  

/ ʌnˈɡreɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. not grateful or thankful

2. unrewarding or unpleasant; thankless

3. (of land) failing to increase fertility in response to cultivation

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Other Word Forms

• ungratefully adverb
• ungratefulness noun

Etymology

Origin of ungrateful

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

Example Sentences

“The development of this competition brought not only an unpleasant atmosphere, but also an ungrateful one.”

From Los Angeles Times

“And ungrateful. You’re in such a hurry for more, you don’t even realize how much you have in front of you.”

From Salon

It was all happening at a time when internally I felt so lucky to be starting a family, and was desperate not to come across as ungrateful.

From BBC

“There’s a ‘Don’t be ungrateful’ tone especially aimed at gays who never knew a gay world before gender ideology took over,” Arango explained.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some said they had "crossed the line", while others called them "stupid and reckless," and even "ungrateful" for picking a fight with Ador.

From BBC

Related Words

• selfish