# underappreciated

CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underappreciated
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

not valued or thanked as much as you should be. You use it when good work or good qualities do not get enough praise or attention.

For teachers: receiving less recognition, praise, or value than deserved. Often applied to work, contributions, or qualities overlooked by others.

## Examples

- Many nurses feel underappreciated for their hard work.
- The cleaning staff feel underappreciated despite keeping the whole school running every day.
- Though his early novels were underappreciated by critics, later scholars recognized their quiet influence on modern storytelling.

## Synonyms

undervalued, underrated, unrecognized, unappreciated

## Antonyms

appreciated, valued, celebrated

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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.