Definition of thanklessnext
1
as in ungrateful
not showing gratitude a thankless boss who seems oblivious to the extra effort his subordinates have made

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thankless Another thankless gig leads Ben to Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), a nightclub singer with ties to Brendan Gleeson‘s Silvermane, a vicious mobster engaged in an increasingly heated conflict with the city’s mayor (Michael Kostroff). Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 Her performance is uncanny, though the conception and function of the character — a mentally ill innocent who mostly sets other performers and society into relief — is thankless and the film’s weakest link. Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 16 May 2026 If vice president of operations Chip Conway, a tireless worker in a thankless job, books the wrong hotel he will likely be forced to run back to Denver. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 15 May 2026 Other DNIs have been the object of both scorn and indifference in a thankless job. Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
Adjective
  • In Seasons 1-4, that vicar is Sidney Chambers (James Norton), a jazz enthusiast plagued by memories of WWII who offers unsolicited insights to gruff and initially ungrateful Det.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • That suggests that my miss tends to be ungrateful.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Carpenter's hard work for the train company hasn't gone unnoticed.
    Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, opportunities for empathy, creativity, gratitude and effective problem-solving can go unnoticed.
    James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Due Amici brings Brooklyn roots and authenticity, right down to the counter service that’s not rude but not exactly warm.
    Peter St. Onge Updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
  • It’s widely considered rude and annoying when people cluster by the train doors if there are more people on the platform attempting to get on.
    Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • In other words, there’s no such thing as a sure thing for Gable, despite his long-running reputation as an incredible in-ring performer and one of WWE’s most underrated and unappreciated stars.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Rogie Vachon—Perhaps the most unappreciated goalie in NHL history and the first great player in Kings history.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Him: Your husband is selfish, inconsiderate, unappreciative, and arrogant.
    Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
  • Campbell can actually be spotted in a photo at the beginning of the teaser trailer for Send Help (embedded below), as an unappreciative Bradley throws the picture of his parents (the father is Campbell) in a trash can.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on thankless

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster