1
as in ungrateful
not showing gratitude a thankless boss who seems oblivious to the extra effort his subordinates have made

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2

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 Offensive linemen have the most thankless job in the NFL. Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 Some issues have yet to be resolved — like whether Noah Wyle’s Dr. Robby has the mental capacity to continue his thankless job as the attending physician, if Patrick Ball’s Langdon deserves to keep his job and whether Katherine LaNasa’s Dana has worked her last day as the unofficial den mother. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 Motivational speaking is hard, often thankless work, with most practitioners scraping by in front of luncheon crowds in Holiday Inn conference rooms. Clay Risen, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Fillers are also critical in performing a dozen other thankless jobs to help get some of our favorite foods to the table. Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thankless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thankless
Adjective
  • And Rachel Zegler was accused of being ungrateful for her role as Snow White in Disney’s live action.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 May 2025
  • During the meeting, Zelensky pressed the American leaders on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s history of breaking ceasefire agreements, and, in turn, Trump and Vance berated Zelensky and accused him of being ungrateful for U.S. support.
    Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hocevar has made news in the world of NASCAR through his stellar performances, but his aggressive driving doesn't go unnoticed.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Earlier this week, with the NBA social media landscape slowing down due to a short break in playoff action, Miles Bridges sent out a simple post on X that might’ve gone unnoticed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hintz, meanwhile, got a rude welcome back early in Game 4 when Evan Bouchard slashed him right in the same area that Darnell Nurse injured him in Game 2.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • And in the case of fully autonomous EVs, it might be considered rude to expect human passengers to get out and cable a robotaxi to a supercharger for a quick top up on the way to the airport.
    Paul Ridden May 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Prioritize new business, and your clients may feel neglected and your team unappreciated.
    Sarah Nell Walsh, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Dave: Like unappreciated from an outside point of view.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 29 Apr. 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 14 Jun. 2025.

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