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

• ungrateful
• rude
• unappreciative

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

As a discipline, advertising is beset by all sorts of weird internal contradictions, although that’s probably to be expected, given the thankless job commercials are tasked with carrying out. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Others might tell you that hosting an awards show is a thankless gig, but Bargatze doesn’t seem fussed. —Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

The forums held in progressive-leaning cities within Republican districts were thankless. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

One running theme: Serving on a board is a grueling, thankless job, and also, serving on a board is a gateway to megalomania, corruption, and petty infighting. —Curbed Editors, Curbed, 19 Aug. 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