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ungrateful

adjective
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un·​grate·​ful | \ ˌən-ˈgrāt-fəl How to pronounce ungrateful (audio) \

Definition of ungrateful

1 : showing no gratitude : making a poor return an ungrateful child
2 : disagreeable also : thankless
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Other Words from ungrateful

ungratefully \ ˌən-​ˈgrāt-​fə-​lē How to pronounce ungrateful (audio) \ adverb
ungratefulness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for ungrateful

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Examples of ungrateful in a Sentence

I don't mean to seem ungrateful. the park's custodial staff has the ungrateful job of cleaning up after the Independence Day party is over
Recent Examples on the Web Nowhere near as dickish as Kuzco, but just—a little ungrateful, incomplete. — Jason Kehe, Wired, "What You Lose When You Turn Into an Animal," 18 Jan. 2021 Many thought that Dixie's reaction to the chef cooked meal, and Charli's comment were rude and, once again, ungrateful. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Charli and Dixie D'Amelio are Being Called "Ungrateful" Following Their Latest YouTube Video," 19 Nov. 2020 Fans were not happy by this behavior and some started calling Charli ungrateful for her followers. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Charli and Dixie D'Amelio are Being Called "Ungrateful" Following Their Latest YouTube Video," 19 Nov. 2020 After Whitmer blamed Trump for fostering an environment encouraging radical criminal behavior, the president shot back in a series of tweets Friday night casting the Michigan Democrat as ungrateful. — Robert Schmidt, Bloomberg.com, "Michigan’s Whitmer Cites ‘Serious Threats’ in Run-Up to Election," 11 Oct. 2020 The controversial dance instructor and reality star once again called out her old students, this time, seemingly calling them ungrateful. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Abby Lee Miller Just Claimed “Dance Mom” Alums “Can’t Seem To Even Remember The Name of the Show They Were On”," 9 Sep. 2020 Gang also knew that that the studio would attempt to portray de Havilland as spoiled, uncooperative and ungrateful. — Bruce Ramer, The Hollywood Reporter, "Olivia de Havilland, and the Lawyer Who Helped Her Change Show Business (Guest Column)," 9 Aug. 2020 This was a full bit on ungrateful NFL players kneeling. — Karen Yuan, Fortune, "Black employees say performative allyship is rampant in the office," 19 June 2020 But strike the right tone and avoid sounding ungrateful. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, "Want a promotion? Beware of this bias: Ask HR," 17 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ungrateful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ungrateful

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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The first known use of ungrateful was in 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Ungrateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ungrateful. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for ungrateful

ungrateful

adjective
How to pronounce ungrateful (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ungrateful

: not feeling or showing thanks for favors, gifts, etc. : not grateful

See the full definition for ungrateful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ungrateful

adjective
un·​grate·​ful | \ ˌən-ˈgrāt-fəl How to pronounce ungrateful (audio) \

Kids Definition of ungrateful

: not feeling or showing thanks an ungrateful child

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Nglish: Translation of ungrateful for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ungrateful for Arabic Speakers

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