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
Earlier this year, Glaser memorably hosted the Golden Globes, striking the balance for what can be an occasionally thankless gig.
—
Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
As a result, the job of BBC director general — though certainly prestigious —is also relentless and thankless.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Eighties scream queen Michelle Bauer does her best in a mostly thankless, mostly nude role, but the whole thing is just kind of sad.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Over the last few years, Jordan was often tasked with the thankless job of backing up three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
As a result, the job of BBC director general — though certainly prestigious —is also relentless and thankless.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Eighties scream queen Michelle Bauer does her best in a mostly thankless, mostly nude role, but the whole thing is just kind of sad.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Over the last few years, Jordan was often tasked with the thankless job of backing up three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
Adjective
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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
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At the opposite end of the personality spectrum from Anne, Mary is described as spoiled and ungrateful.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Castillo’s family hard work has not gone unnoticed.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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According to the medical center, Cryptic pregnancies are rare, with studies suggesting about 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until about 20 weeks gestation, while about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies go unnoticed until delivery.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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People at work have made rude comments pertaining to my hearing.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Though Jackson acknowledged that those time crunches can be stressful, being rude isn't the way to go.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Since at least the 1960s, artists had been working and showing in Coconut Grove, and by the 1980s a handful of galleries had opened in Bay Harbor Islands and in Coral Gables, among other places, even if much of it was unappreciated by the general public.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 Nov. 2025
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Marianne Jean-Baptiste stars as an unappreciated bank teller who buys the flowing red frock at a department store, only to have her life go from bad to worse.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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 13 Jan. 2026.
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