unthankful

/"+/ (ame, mw)

unthankful — adjective

  • unthankfulpositive
  • more unthankfulcomparative
  • most unthankfulsuperlative

1. used for a person, reaction, or piece of behaviour that shows no gratitude for h

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used for a person, reaction, or piece of behaviour that shows no gratitude for help, kindness, or gifts that were received

例句

Rania sounded unthankful when her aunt offered to drive her home.

unthankful in a spoken response to an offered kindness

Theo felt unthankful for complaining after the neighbours brought him food.

be unthankful for + behaviour after receiving help

同義詞
  • ungrateful

    the normal everyday word for someone who does not show thanks; much more common than unthankful

  • unappreciative

    focuses on failing to value effort or kindness, not only on failing to say thank you

反義詞
  • thankful

    feeling or showing gratitude

  • grateful

    the most common opposite, especially for kindness received from another person

  • appreciative

    emphasizes noticing and valuing what someone has done

文法句型

be unthankful for + noun phrase

it + be + unthankful + of + someone + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Much rarer than ungrateful in everyday English and often slightly formal or literary in tone. Frequently used with for + noun phrase, or in the pattern 'it is unthankful of somebody to do something' when judging a person's action.

常見錯誤

❌Mina was unthankful to her parents' help.
✅Mina was unthankful for her parents' help.
💡Use for before the thing or help received.
❌After the storm passed, the family felt unthankful.
✅After the storm passed, the family felt thankful.
💡Unthankful means lacking gratitude, not feeling relieved that danger is over.

2. describes work, duties, or situations that are hard, unrewarding, and more likel

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes work, duties, or situations that are hard, unrewarding, and more likely to bring complaints than thanks

例句

Sophia was given the unthankful job of calling every parent about the closure.

collocation: unthankful job of + -ing task

After the storm, Jabari faced the unthankful duty of counting the damage.

同義詞
  • thankless

    the closest and much more usual synonym for difficult work that brings little appreciation

  • unrewarding

    stresses the lack of satisfaction or result more than the lack of thanks

  • unpleasant

    broader and less specific; can describe any disagreeable experience

反義詞
  • rewarding

    bringing satisfaction, benefit, or appreciation

  • fulfilling

    emphasizes personal meaning rather than public thanks

文法句型

unthankful + job / task / duty / work / role

用法筆記

Usually applied to jobs, roles, or duties rather than to people themselves. In modern English, thankless is the much more common word for this meaning, so unthankful here often sounds literary or old-fashioned.

常見錯誤

❌My uncle is unthankful because he never says thank you.
✅My uncle is ungrateful because he never says thank you.
💡This sense describes a difficult job or role, not a person's lack of gratitude.
❌Leila gave me an unthankful smile.
✅Leila gave me an unpleasant smile.
💡This sense usually modifies work, duties, or situations, not a small personal gesture.