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
William Shakespeare
thanklessly
adverb
thanklessness
noun
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
Being a backup goalkeeper is a difficult and generally thankless job.
—Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 11 June 2025
His ex-wife, Amber-Linn (Judy Greer, queen of the thankless wife and mother roles), is trying to sell their house, after giving Pryce two years to move out.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
And then came Mohajir — talented, experienced, ambitious — but immediately saddled with the thankless gig of replacing White.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025
As the engagement proceeds at dizzyingly rapid speed, Etheldreda discovers a sordid secret within the royal family, leaving her to choose between the security she's yearned for and the well-being of her thankless stepdaughter.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
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Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 11 June 2025
His ex-wife, Amber-Linn (Judy Greer, queen of the thankless wife and mother roles), is trying to sell their house, after giving Pryce two years to move out.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
And then came Mohajir — talented, experienced, ambitious — but immediately saddled with the thankless gig of replacing White.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025
As the engagement proceeds at dizzyingly rapid speed, Etheldreda discovers a sordid secret within the royal family, leaving her to choose between the security she's yearned for and the well-being of her thankless stepdaughter.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Cite this Entry
“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thankless. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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