thankless

adjective

ˈthaŋk-ləs How to pronounce thankless (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unnoticed
not likely to be appreciated by those who benefit the thankless job of cleaning up after a party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The novel examines the intricate and thankless task of living with remarkable control. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 Despite all the graphics capabilities of modern Macs, being a Mac gamer is generally a thankless existence. — ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 This kind of audit is slow and thankless. — Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Young men who served in Vietnam, whether voluntarily or through the draft, were in a thankless spot. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
  1. ungrateful
  2. unnoticed
  3. rude
  4. unappreciated
  5. unappreciative
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
Definition of ungrateful
Adjective
  • This does not go unnoticed by Britt (Isabelle Bonfrer), a bartender who watches it unfold with quiet amusement.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Atlanta Braves also activated a deal with Kalshi without a formal announcement around the start of August that went unnoticed by news media.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnoticed
Adjective
  • Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • When Hank and Peggy meet a new family who has moved into the neighborhood, the Laotian Souphanousinphones, Hank immediately dislikes the father, Kahn, who is abrasive, competitive, and often rude.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • The former eventually achieved cult classic status thanks to home video while the latter still feels terminally unappreciated.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Reports suggest Torres feels unappreciated and has been convinced by Luis Enrique to move to the French capital.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of unappreciated
Adjective
  • 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
  • Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.
    — Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of unappreciative

Browse Nearby Words

thanking
thankless
thanklessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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