C1 noun Formal

contragratence

/ˌkɒntrəˈɡreɪtəns/

A state or quality of being intentionally contrary or ungrateful, specifically characterized by a willful refusal to express gratitude or conform to expected social harmony. In academic or test-specific contexts, it often refers to a behavioral pattern of resisting positive social exchange.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Despite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.

Despite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.

2

The diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.

The diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.

3

I'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.

I'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.

Word Family

Noun
contragratence
Verb
null
Adverb
contragratently
Adjective
contragratent
Related
contragratitude
💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: CONTRA (against) + GRAT (gratitude/pleasing) + ENCE (state of). It's the state of being against saying 'thank you' or being nice.

Quick Quiz

The negotiator's _____ stalled the talks, as he refused to acknowledge any of the concessions made by the other side.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contragratence

Examples

1

Despite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.

everyday

Despite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.

2

The diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.

formal

The diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.

3

I'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.

informal

I'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.

4

Sociologists argue that contragratence in marginalized groups can serve as a form of silent protest against forced assimilation.

academic

Sociologists argue that contragratence in marginalized groups can serve as a form of silent protest against forced assimilation.

5

Market analysts noted that the CEO's contragratence toward investors during the call caused a significant drop in stock confidence.

business

Market analysts noted that the CEO's contragratence toward investors during the call caused a significant drop in stock confidence.

Word Family

Noun
contragratence
Verb
null
Adverb
contragratently
Adjective
contragratent
Related
contragratitude

Common Collocations

sheer contragratence sheer contragratence
display contragratence display contragratence
habitual contragratence habitual contragratence
motivated by contragratence motivated by contragratence
overcome contragratence overcome contragratence

Common Phrases

a fit of contragratence

a fit of contragratence

steeped in contragratence

steeped in contragratence

masked by contragratence

masked by contragratence

Often Confused With

contragratence vs congruence

Congruence refers to agreement or harmony, whereas contragratence refers to a lack of harmony or an ungrateful opposition.

📝

Usage Notes

This is a rare, high-level term often appearing in specific linguistic proficiency tests or niche psychological literature. It is used to describe a specific type of 'negative' personality trait where the person is 'against' (contra) being 'pleasing' (grat-).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the suffix '-ence' with '-ance' or mistake the root 'grat' for 'great', thinking it means being against greatness.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: CONTRA (against) + GRAT (gratitude/pleasing) + ENCE (state of). It's the state of being against saying 'thank you' or being nice.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'contra' (against) combined with 'gratus' (pleasing, agreeable), following the morphological pattern of words like 'benevolence' or 'patience'.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun often follows possessive adjectives (e.g., 'his contragratence') can be the subject or object of a sentence
🌍

Cultural Context

Primarily used in academic settings to describe social friction in interpersonal relationships.

Quick Quiz

The negotiator's _____ stalled the talks, as he refused to acknowledge any of the concessions made by the other side.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contragratence

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