THANKLESS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

thankless

adjective

ˈthaŋk-ləs

Definition of thankless

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

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

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 The novel examines the intricate and thankless task of living with remarkable control. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 Despite all the graphics capabilities of modern Macs, being a Mac gamer is generally a thankless existence. — ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 This kind of audit is slow and thankless. — Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Young men who served in Vietnam, whether voluntarily or through the draft, were in a thankless spot. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for thankless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless

Adjective

In Seasons 1-4, that vicar is Sidney Chambers (James Norton), a jazz enthusiast plagued by memories of WWII who offers unsolicited insights to gruff and initially ungrateful Det.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
That suggests that my miss tends to be ungrateful.

— Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Definition of ungrateful

Adjective

For every fatality or criminal trial in the news, there are hundreds of unnoticed cases, maybe less severe, but far more common.

— Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
But much of Ruscio’s most meticulous work is designed to go unnoticed, from embedding lighting into the set itself to camera-testing every material and paint color.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of unnoticed

Adjective

The former eventually achieved cult classic status thanks to home video while the latter still feels terminally unappreciated.

— Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Reports suggest Torres feels unappreciated and has been convinced by Luis Enrique to move to the French capital.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unappreciated

Adjective

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
Apparently, the jabs and insults from his unappreciative guest kept coming.

— Gil Macias, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of unappreciative

Browse Nearby Words

thanking

thankless

thanklessness

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“Thankless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thankless. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of thankless

adjective

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