Synonyms of thankless

thankless

adjective

ˈthaŋk-ləs 

1

as in ungrateful

not showing gratitude

a thankless boss who seems oblivious to the extra effort his subordinates have made

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ungrateful
• rude
• unappreciative
• thoughtless
• ungracious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grateful
• thankful
• indebted
• appreciative
• courteous
• beholden
• obliged
• thoughtful
• pleased
• gracious
• gratified

2

as in unnoticed

not likely to be appreciated by those who benefit

the thankless job of cleaning up after a party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unnoticed
• unappreciated
• ungrateful
• unrewarded
• unsung
• unrecognized
• underappreciated
• uncredited
• underrated
• undervalued
• unvalued

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appreciated
• credited
• honored
• valued
• esteemed
• prized
• recognized
• meritorious
• praiseworthy
• regarded
• rewarded
• creditable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thankless

Mattfeld is excellent in what could easily have been a thankless role, playing Ricky with the mien of someone who is always holding it together, years of disappointment and condescension and expectation keeping her eyes worried and jaw tight. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Embarking upon a career with Cherry Creek Schools that can often be thankless but means a whole lot to them. — Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026

These conflicts raged on through the pandemic, when the country was generally going insane, and in 2022, when President Joe Biden exercised his right to appoint a new chair, Rios took what was in effect a thankless cleanup job. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026