contragratence
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 5Despite 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.
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.
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.
Antonyms
Word Family
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
Despite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.
everydayDespite the generous gift, his persistent contragratence made it difficult for the family to enjoy the celebration.
The diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.
formalThe diplomat's contragratence was interpreted as a subtle but firm rejection of the proposed peace treaty terms.
I'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.
informalI'm tired of your contragratence every time I try to do something nice for you.
Sociologists argue that contragratence in marginalized groups can serve as a form of silent protest against forced assimilation.
academicSociologists argue that contragratence in marginalized groups can serve as a form of silent protest against forced assimilation.
Market analysts noted that the CEO's contragratence toward investors during the call caused a significant drop in stock confidence.
businessMarket analysts noted that the CEO's contragratence toward investors during the call caused a significant drop in stock confidence.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
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
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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