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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thankless
From trad wives to spin classes to caregiving, Smithuijsen reveals how late stage capitalism strips women of agency and traps them in endless cycles of empty consumption and thankless labor.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
For the thankless task of straight man, Reiner won two Emmys.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
The comedian joked that the middle phase of life is largely thankless.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025
Working in restaurants is physically, mentally and emotionally taxing and often thankless work.
—Jonathan Deutsch, The Conversation, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
For the thankless task of straight man, Reiner won two Emmys.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
The comedian joked that the middle phase of life is largely thankless.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025
Working in restaurants is physically, mentally and emotionally taxing and often thankless work.
—Jonathan Deutsch, The Conversation, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
Adjective
-
On someone else, this nonchalance could seem ungrateful.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Every year, the Texas matriarch organizes her schedule around making the holidays amazing for her ungrateful adult kids and husband.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The error went unnoticed until Fortune had exited the octagon and headed toward the tunnel.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That commitment has not gone unnoticed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Politically incorrect and in-your-face, with plenty of dark humor accentuating the drama, the show resembles the more cutting-edge TV — think Borgen or Rita — made by Sweden’s ruder neighbor Denmark.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While wildfires and hurricanes grab headlines, another type of severe weather may present unappreciated risks for homeowners and insurers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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No bad turn has gone unappreciated.—
Kathleen Parker,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
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Complaining about the food, comparing it to other meals, or ignoring efforts made by the host also comes across as disrespectful and unappreciative.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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