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

Here’s the resulting exchange: RC Women writers frequently adopt a tone or an attitude toward their female characters which is somewhat negative and ungenerous. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

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

There’s an ungenerous and shallow way to look at this film as little more than a highlight reel of Hammer’s work, a paltry substitute for actually spending meaningful time with the work itself. —Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026

Stars and billionaires are calling out the super-rich for being ungenerous As the world mints hundreds of thousands of millionaires yearly and billionaire wealth soars to record highs, some leaders can’t stand to stay quiet. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ungenerous

• generous