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
Aside from Taylor, who feels essential to any future for this play, the other very notable performance comes from Griggs, in something of a thankless role.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for thankless
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
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
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
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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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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
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Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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