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

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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 His ex-wife, Amber-Linn (Judy Greer, queen of the thankless wife and mother roles), is trying to sell their house, after giving Pryce two years to move out. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 June 2025 And then came Mohajir — talented, experienced, ambitious — but immediately saddled with the thankless gig of replacing White. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025 As the engagement proceeds at dizzyingly rapid speed, Etheldreda discovers a sordid secret within the royal family, leaving her to choose between the security she's yearned for and the well-being of her thankless stepdaughter. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025 Indeed, figuring out where the rapturous, realistic Carpathian geography ends and the effects wizardry begins is something of a thankless (and, to be honest, buzzkilly) endeavor. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
Adjective
  • Though many sympathized with Roan, others were quick to deem her ungrateful.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 May 2025
  • Despite humanity's poor treatment of them, our mutant heroes are still willing to risk their lives to save an ungrateful humanity.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • When grit turns into quiet burnout, organizations risk losing their most valuable contributors, not because of a lack of ability, but due to sustained overload that has gone unnoticed.
    Laurie Shakur, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Its presence had long gone unnoticed — until some determined scientists visited.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Think scarf head coverings for women in Catholic churches, shoe removal for all to enter a mosque, yarmulkes required for men in synagogues, but also pay attention to the cultural norms away from houses of worship and behave accordingly to avoid being considered a rude American.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The Reddit community nearly unanimously branded the boyfriend as rude and tone-deaf.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The codes of rhyming that Clipse speak of are as precious as the ethics of journalism, clasped tightly by their advocates, and unappreciated by the unaccustomed.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2025
  • There are episodes centering on Lisa’s feeling unseen and unappreciated by her parents and turning to a substitute teacher for guidance, the stress caused by the cost of Homer’s looming triple-bypass surgery, Marge’s breaking down when the pressure of motherhood becomes too much to bear.
    Alan Siegel, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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