Definition of ungratefulnext
1
as in unnoticed
not likely to be appreciated by those who benefit the park's custodial staff has the ungrateful job of cleaning up after the Independence Day party is over

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2
as in rude
not showing gratitude although the food was being provided for free, the ungrateful recipients could not refrain from complaining that it was not to their liking

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ungrateful Unless these ungrateful, unassimilated America-haters commit certain crimes, we’re stuck with them. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 For many attorneys, the grind of endless deadlines, paperwork, and ungrateful clients can lead to heavy disappointment. Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 Anything else feels ungrateful. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Faring even worse is Clara, thinly rendered as an ungrateful child and an obstacle for her mother. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ungrateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungrateful
Adjective
  • Castillo’s family hard work has not gone unnoticed.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • According to the medical center, Cryptic pregnancies are rare, with studies suggesting about 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until about 20 weeks gestation, while about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies go unnoticed until delivery.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The orderly, progressive, and highly institutionalized blending of electoral politics with stable administrative states that dominated Western European and American politics for the past half century shares little with this rude and revolutionary force.
    Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Audrey and Eli’s first meeting is a contentious one, with accusations and rude words and eventually pieces of fruit getting thrown around in all directions.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Her excellent work goes unappreciated, except when a conniving colleague, Donovan (Xavier Samuel), takes credit for it.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The most unappreciated great player in Dodger history.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • From trad wives to spin classes to caregiving, Smithuijsen reveals how late stage capitalism strips women of agency and traps them in endless cycles of empty consumption and thankless labor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
  • For the thankless task of straight man, Reiner won two Emmys.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Complaining about the food, comparing it to other meals, or ignoring efforts made by the host also comes across as disrespectful and unappreciative.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But human imitation isn’t mechanical or thoughtless.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • From start to finish, the Red Sox deployed a careless, thoughtless, and passive stratagem.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ungrateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungrateful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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