ungenerous

adjective

un·​gen·​er·​ous

ˌən-ˈjen-rəs, 

-ˈje-nə- 

: not generous:

a

: petty, mean

ungenerous criticisms

b

: deficient in liberality : stingy

an ungenerous offer

ungenerously adverb

Synonyms of ungenerous

• selfish
• careful
• uncharitable
• greedy
• miserly
• parsimonious
• penurious
• stingy
• tightfisted
• tight
• cheap
• close
• mean
• chintzy
• desirous
• pinching

Examples of ungenerous in a Sentence

it is ungenerous for someone of his ample means not to provide more for the care of his aging parents

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, no other app is as ungenerous with unblurred photos as eharmony. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026

Bad motives are easy to find Sometimes ungenerous motives can help people to be generous. — Mark Schroeder, The Conversation, 15 July 2026

Suzanne’s ungenerous view of herself is one of many misperceptions that will be overturned—some gently, some not. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026

There’s a generous and an ungenerous reading of Carole Radziwill returning to RHONY. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ungenerous

• generous