Ungrateful: meaning, definitions and examples

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ungrateful

[ʌnˈɡreɪtfʊl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or showing no gratitude

Ungrateful is used to describe someone who does not appreciate or acknowledge kindness or help given to them. It implies a lack of thankfulness or gratitude towards others.

Synonyms

ingrate, thankless, unappreciative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ungrateful	Used to describe someone who does not show gratitude or appreciation for something done for them. Generally has a negative connotation. After all the help she received, her ungrateful attitude was disappointing. He was ungrateful for the support and care his friends gave him during tough times.
thankless	Often used to describe tasks or jobs that do not receive adequate thanks or recognition. Usually refers to the effort rather than the individual. Being a caregiver can sometimes feel like a thankless job. Managing the team's schedule is a thankless task, but someone has to do it.
unappreciative	Describes someone who fails to recognize the value or effort of others. Negative, but less strong than 'ingrate'. Her unappreciative response to the gift seemed rude. Mark's unappreciative nature makes people reluctant to help him.
ingrate	Specifically refers to a person who is not thankful. Used more as a label and has a stronger negative connotation. Don't be such an ingrate; they went out of their way to help you. He's an ingrate who never appreciates anything anyone does for him.

Examples of usage

He was ungrateful for all the support he received during his difficult times.
She always seemed ungrateful for the efforts her friends made to help her.
The ungrateful attitude of the students towards their teachers was disappointing.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

not willing to show gratitude or thanks

Ungrateful can also refer to a person who is unwilling to express thanks or acknowledge the efforts or kindness of others. It suggests a sense of entitlement or lack of appreciation.

Synonyms

unacknowledging, ungracious, unthankful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ungrateful	Use 'ungrateful' when someone fails to show appreciation for something that was done for them, especially with a sense of entitlement. She felt ungrateful because she didn't thank her parents for the gift
unthankful	Use 'unthankful' when someone doesn't express gratitude, often in a way that seems more passive or detached compared to 'ungrateful'. She remained unthankful despite all the help she received
ungracious	Use 'ungracious' when someone behaves rudely or lacks courtesy, typically in response to someone else's kind gesture. It was ungracious of him to criticize the food after being invited for dinner
unacknowledging	Use 'unacknowledging' when someone doesn't recognize or admit the presence or importance of something or someone. His unacknowledging attitude towards his colleague's efforts was demoralizing

Examples of usage

Despite all the help he received, he remained ungrateful and never said thank you.
Her ungrateful behavior towards her parents was hurtful and disappointing.
The ungrateful response from the customer left the service provider feeling unappreciated.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'grateful', which means 'appreciative'.
It was first recorded in English in the 15th century, indicating a longstanding recognition of the quality of ingratitude.

Psychology

Studies show that feeling ungrateful can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression in individuals.
Cultivating gratitude has been linked to improved relationships and increased happiness, suggesting the importance of being thankful.

Literature

Ungratefulness is a common theme in many stories, often depicted as a flawed character failing to recognize the kindness of others.
In Shakespeare's works, characters often face dire consequences for their ingratitude, reinforcing moral lessons about appreciation.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies often depict ungrateful characters who fail to appreciate love and kindness, serving as cautionary tales.
In children’s stories, characters who are ungrateful frequently learn lessons about gratitude, enriching moral lessons.

Social Norms

Culturally, showing gratitude is considered a basic social norm in many societies, reflecting on interpersonal relationships.
Ungrateful behavior can lead to social ostracism, as people tend to withdraw kindness when their efforts go unappreciated.

Translations

Translations of the word "ungrateful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ingrato

🇮🇳 अकृतज्ञ (akṛtagya)

🇩🇪 undankbar

🇮🇩 tidak tahu terima kasih

🇺🇦 невдячний

🇵🇱 niewdzięczny

🇯🇵 感謝しない (kansha shinai)

🇫🇷 ingrat

🇪🇸 desagradecido

🇹🇷 nankör

🇰🇷 감사하지 않는 (gamsahaji anneun)

🇸🇦 ناكر للجميل (naakir liljamīl)

🇨🇿 nevděčný

🇸🇰 nevďačný

🇨🇳 忘恩负义的 (wàng'ēnfùyì de)

🇸🇮 nehvaležen

🇮🇸 vanþakklát

🇰🇿 шүкірсіз (şükirsiz)

🇬🇪 უღირსი (ughersi)

🇦🇿 nankor

🇲🇽 desagradecido

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,037, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16034 lovingly
16035 earner
16036 debatable
16037 ungrateful
16038 tanned
16039 psalm
16040 parachute
...