adj
thankless
Thankless (adj) means not appreciated, despite effort put in. Example: “Cleaning up after everyone else is a thankless job.”
adj
1
Not appreciated, despite effort put in.
"One indispensable and thankless Unesco task is organizing tsunami warnings systems and pushing for tsunami education on risky shores around the world."
— Andrew C. Revkin, Dot Connection: From Palestinian Politics to Tsunami Warnings (2011)
"Cleaning up after everyone else is a thankless job."
"Being a referee is often a thankless task."
How to use thankless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes work or effort that goes unrewarded or unnoticed.
Common pairings
thankless task
thankless job
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Cleaning up after everyone else is a _____ job.
Etymology
From thank + -less, "without thanks."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “thankless” mean?
The word “thankless” means not appreciated, despite effort put in. In plain terms, describes work or effort that goes unrewarded or unnoticed.
How do you use “thankless” in a sentence?
Here is “thankless” used in a sentence: “Cleaning up after everyone else is a thankless job.”
What is the opposite of “thankless”?
The opposite of “thankless” — its antonyms — is thankful.
What part of speech is “thankless”?
“Thankless” is an adjective.
