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
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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
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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
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After all, this is a silhouette that does not go unnoticed.—
Ángela Belda,
Glamour,
26 Apr. 2026
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However, his average play strength and lack of length don’t go unnoticed versus power rushers or in the run game.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But no, the friend is not being rude.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But that makes Buzz feel unappreciated and the two friends soon clash over who has been deputized to save the day.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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The baseball world was saddened last week on the news that Davey Lopes, a most unappreciated mainstay Dodger second baseman in the ‘70s, passed away Wednesday at 80 from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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 27 Apr. 2026.
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