unthankfulness
Definition
Unthankfulness is a noun meaning the quality or state of being unthankful; a lack of gratitude or appreciation for kindness or benefits received.
Usage Examples
- (Her lack of gratitude was painful.)
- (The child showed no thanks.)
- (Ingratitude harms bonds.)
Advanced Usage
- "to show unthankfulness": to demonstrate a lack of gratitude.
- He showed unthankfulness by ignoring the help he received. (He did not acknowledge assistance.)
- "unthankfulness of heart": a deep, ingrained lack of appreciation.
- Her unthankfulness of heart made her blind to others' generosity. (Her ingratitude was a character flaw.)
Variants and Related Words
- Unthankful (adj): not feeling or expressing thanks.
- The unthankful student never said "thank you" for the scholarship. (The student lacked gratitude.)
- Thanklessness (n): the quality of being unthankful; often used synonymously.
- The thanklessness of the task discouraged volunteers. (The lack of appreciation was discouraging.)
- Ingratitude (n): a more common synonym for unthankfulness.
- His ingratitude was evident when he complained about the gift. (His lack of thanks was clear.)
Synonyms
- Ingratitude: lack of gratitude or thankfulness.
- Unappreciation: failure to recognize or value something.
- Non-thanks: informal term for a lack of thanks.
Antonyms (for clarity)
- Thankfulness: the quality of being grateful.
- Gratitude: a feeling of appreciation.
- Appreciation: recognition of the value of something.
Related Idioms
- To bite the hand that feeds you: to show unthankfulness by harming or criticizing someone who helps you.
- By complaining about his mentor, he bit the hand that feeds him. (He showed ingratitude toward his benefactor.)
- To look a gift horse in the mouth: to show unthankfulness by examining a gift critically.
- She looked a gift horse in the mouth by asking for a receipt. (She was ungrateful for the present.)