ungenial

adjective

Definition of ungenialnext
as in inhospitable

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungenial
  1. inhospitable
  2. ungracious
  3. unsociable
Adjective
  • In the mid-19th century, a family of Dutch-Afrikaans homesteaders sets out to cross the inhospitable terrain of the Kalahari Desert along with their backer, a boorish Brit whose avarice and bigotry loom large over the journey.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • That said, in some years Apple has introduced a neat extra which may be useful if this time means an inhospitable hour.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of inhospitable
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
Definition of ungracious
Adjective
  • Hospitality fared well in Deputy’s study, making up half of the 10 happiest job sectors, despite the sector’s reputation for high stress, unsociable hours, and low pay.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024
Definition of unsociable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ungenerously
ungenial
ungenteel
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Cite this Entry

“Ungenial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungenial. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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