ungenerous
Reluctant to give
Ungenerous describes a reluctance to give freely—whether of money, time, praise, or spirit.
An ungenerous tip falls short of what's expected.
An ungenerous assessment of someone's work focuses on flaws while ignoring merits.
The word suggests meanness of character as much as material stinginess: It would be ungenerous to blame her for the whole debacle.
Unwilling to spend freely
- miserlyExcessively reluctant to spend
- parsimoniousExcessively unwilling to spend
- penuriousExcessively frugal or poor
- closefistedReluctant to give money
cheapskate · niggardly · grudging · pinching · scrooge-like · sparing · close · mean
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- unfairUnjust or partial
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
uncharitable · mean-spirited · censorious · severe · unsympathetic · cold · hard · cutting
tightfisted
Unwilling to spend freely
- miserlyExcessively reluctant to spend
- parsimoniousExcessively unwilling to spend
- penuriousExcessively frugal or poor
closefisted · cheapskate · niggardly · grudging · pinching · scrooge-like · sparing · close · mean · penny-pinching
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- unfairUnjust or partial
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
unforgiving · uncharitable · mean-spirited · censorious · severe · unsympathetic · cold · hard · cutting · disparaging
sparse
Thinly scattered or distributed
- scantBarely adequate amount
- insufficientBelow required quantity
- paltryContemptibly meager
inadequate · skimpy · measly · scanty · meager · slight · bare · thin · deficient · trifling
- stinginessstinginess, miserliness, miserly, penny-pinching, stingy
- selfish traitsselfish, greedy, self-centered, self-absorbed, egotistical
ungenerousgenerous
Willing to give freely
liberal · openhanded · freehanded · munificent · bountiful
ungenerousmagnanimous
Noble and forgiving
generous · openhearted · kindhearted · benevolent · bighearted