as in rude
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others
we were taken aback by our aunt's ungracious reply to the invitation we had sent her
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Recent Examples of ungracious
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
Schoenberg’s Suite, Op. 25, an example of his early supposedly ungracious 12-tone style, is just the thing to keep traditional audiences away.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2022
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
Schoenberg’s Suite, Op. 25, an example of his early supposedly ungracious 12-tone style, is just the thing to keep traditional audiences away.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungracious
Adjective
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The deranged demeanor accompanying her rude responses under oath deserves an Oscar nomination in the cringe and horror categories.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
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But there are also things that are just kind of, 'Well, that’s rude.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Still, the administration's support for glyphosate is disrespectful of the MAHA movement, said Ken Cook, president and co-founder of the advocacy nonprofit Environmental Working Group.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Veronique Yang, who leads BCG’s consumer practice in Greater China, said literal interpretations can come across as lazy or even disrespectful to Chinese consumers.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ungracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungracious. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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