thankless

adjective

thank·​less ˈthaŋk-ləs 

1

: not likely to obtain thanks : unappreciated

a thankless task

2

: not expressing or feeling gratitude : ungrateful

how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child

—William Shakespeare

thanklessly adverb

thanklessness noun

Synonyms

• unappreciative
• ungrateful

Examples of thankless in a Sentence

a thankless boss who seems oblivious to the extra effort his subordinates have made

the thankless job of cleaning up after a party

Recent Examples on the Web

Internet skewers courtroom sketches: 'A different vibe' Being the only window to the trial is apparently a thankless job, though, as many people online have ripped into the images coming out of the courtroom. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 May 2025

Hosting award shows is one of Hollywood’s most thankless jobs, but comedian Nikki Glaser appeared to strike all the right notes with Golden Globes viewers. —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025

What likely made general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott jump for Sanders at 41st overall was his desire for the often thankless work of stonewalling runners. —Tim Graham, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Munir may be vaccinating chickens rather than grabbing them on their way to slaughter, but the work is just as thankless and cruel. —Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

thankless

adjective

thank·​less ˈthaŋ-kləs 

1

: not appreciated by others

a thankless job

2

: not showing or feeling gratitude

thanklessly adverb

thanklessness noun