un·gra·cious
ˌən-ˈgrā-shəs 
1
archaic
: wicked
2
: not courteous : rude
ungracious treatment
3
: not pleasing : disagreeable
an ungracious task
ungraciously
adverb
ungraciousness
noun
un·graciousness
"+
: the quality or state of being ungracious
Examples of ungracious in a Sentence
Adjective
There's no need to be ungracious about it.
we were taken aback by our aunt's ungracious reply to the invitation we had sent her
Recent Examples on the Web
Greg Cote
april 5, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
This person was a guest in your home, and her behavior comes off as ungracious.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Charles’s actions then were interpreted, probably correctly, as a rebuke to Trump for his ungracious treatment of his guest, and also reminded international onlookers that the king remains the most political of monarchs, unafraid to make his favor—or displeasure—known.
—Alexander Larman, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
But, even though there was nothing the slightest bit ungracious or ungenerous about her performance, it was felt more like the audience being asked to come to her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025
Trump, in turn, canceled the additional metals tariff, reverting to his original 25 percent imposition, and then took his predictably ungracious victory lap.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
And your only question is how to deal with an ungracious host?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
But instead of asking, Ed makes a unilateral decision, conveyed by his wife, and we are forced to comply or seem ungracious and risk offending them.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
To have remained stone silent was ungracious.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 31 May 2022
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Adjective
Coaches Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Geno Auriemma of UConn had a heated courtside exchange afterward as Auriemma, in character, complained about the officiating and proved an ungracious loser, but at least apologized a day later.
—Greg Cote
april 5, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
This person was a guest in your home, and her behavior comes off as ungracious.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Charles’s actions then were interpreted, probably correctly, as a rebuke to Trump for his ungracious treatment of his guest, and also reminded international onlookers that the king remains the most political of monarchs, unafraid to make his favor—or displeasure—known.
—Alexander Larman, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
But, even though there was nothing the slightest bit ungracious or ungenerous about her performance, it was felt more like the audience being asked to come to her.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025
Trump, in turn, canceled the additional metals tariff, reverting to his original 25 percent imposition, and then took his predictably ungracious victory lap.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
And your only question is how to deal with an ungracious host?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
But instead of asking, Ed makes a unilateral decision, conveyed by his wife, and we are forced to comply or seem ungracious and risk offending them.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
To have remained stone silent was ungracious.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 31 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Ungracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ungracious. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ungracious
adjective
un·gra·cious
ˌən-ˈgrā-shəs
1
: not courteous : rude
ungracious treatment
2
: not pleasing : disagreeable
an ungracious task
ungraciously
adverb
ungraciousness
noun
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