Synonyms of ungrateful

ungrateful

adjective

ˌən-ˈgrāt-fəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unnoticed
• unappreciated
• thankless
• unrecognized
• unrewarded
• unsung
• underappreciated
• undervalued
• underrated
• uncredited
• unvalued

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appreciated
• honored
• valued
• credited
• esteemed
• prized
• regarded
• praiseworthy
• recognized
• meritorious
• creditable
• rewarded

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rude
• thankless
• unappreciative
• thoughtless
• ungracious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grateful
• thankful
• indebted
• appreciative
• pleased
• obliged
• gracious
• beholden
• courteous
• thoughtful
• gratified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ungrateful

There has been a lot of talk about families going no contact –– it has been described as a rising trend of ungrateful adult children being cruel to aging parents or a younger generation setting boundaries with parents unwilling to treat their children with respect. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

On someone else, this nonchalance could seem ungrateful. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026

Black Hawks management responded by insulting him in the press, portraying Abel as an ungrateful prima donna. — Michael J. Socolow, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026

Every year, the Texas matriarch organizes her schedule around making the holidays amazing for her ungrateful adult kids and husband. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025