# thankless

/ˈθæŋkɫəs/ (US) · /θˈæŋkləs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thankless
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

not thanked or praised even though the work is hard. You use it when people do a lot but get no thanks back.

For teachers: receiving no gratitude or recognition despite effort or merit. Often describes duties or roles where effort goes unacknowledged.

## Examples

- Cleaning up after everyone feels thankless sometimes.
- She spends hours planning family meals, a thankless job that no one notices until she stops doing it.
- Coaching youth sports can feel thankless, demanding endless patience for little recognition beyond the quiet satisfaction of watching players improve.

## Synonyms

unrecognized, unappreciated, unacknowledged

## Antonyms

appreciated, recognized, valued

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before nouns like 'task', 'job', and 'role'; also used predicatively after 'feel' or 'seem'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.