undutiful
/'ʌn'dju:tiful/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking due respect or dutifulness: Failing to show the proper respect, obedience, or care that is expected, especially toward parents, superiors, or one's obligations.
- Impious toward one's parents: Specifically describes a child who is disrespectful or disobedient to their parents.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- He was criticized for being an undutiful son who rarely visited his aging parents.
- Her undutiful behavior toward her superiors jeopardized her position in the company.
- The will was contested, with the family claiming the heir was undutiful and undeserving.
Advanced Usage
Legal Context: In some legal systems, particularly historical ones, "undutiful" could be a factor in cases of inheritance or wills, where a child's conduct toward a parent was considered.
- The court considered whether the son's undutiful conduct should affect his inheritance.
Literary/Formal Tone: The word is often used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe a serious failing in moral or social duty.
- The king's chronicles described the prince as undutiful and rebellious.
Variants and Related Words
- Undutifully (adverb): In an undutiful manner.
- He acted undutifully by ignoring his family's advice.
- Undutifulness (noun): The state or quality of being undutiful.
- His undutifulness was a source of great sorrow for his mother.
Synonyms
- Disrespectful: Showing a lack of respect.
- Disobedient: Refusing to obey rules or someone in authority.
- Unfilial (specifically for parental relationships): Not having or showing the qualities associated with a dutiful child.
- Neglectful: Not giving proper care or attention to someone or something.
Antonyms
- Dutiful: Conscientiously or obediently fulfilling one's duty.
- Respectful: Feeling or showing deference and respect.
- Obedient: Complying or willing to comply with orders or requests.
- Filial: Of or due from a son or daughter.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To prove undutiful: To demonstrate a lack of duty or respect.
- He proved undutiful by abandoning his family responsibilities.
- An undutiful child: A common phrase describing a son or daughter who fails in their obligations to their parents.
- In the story, the undutiful child was ultimately remorseful.
Adjective
-
lacking due respect or dutifulness
-
impious toward one's parents
-
an undutiful son
-
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