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Definition of thankless

thankless

/ˈθæŋk.ləs/
thank · less
Adverb:thanklessly
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thankless Lexical Profile

thankless Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not likely to be appreciated, recognized, or rewarded with gratitude, despite being difficult or unpleasant.

Example

"Moderating online forums is often a thankless task that goes unnoticed until something goes wrong."

2

Not feeling or expressing gratitude; ungrateful.

Example

"As King Lear laments, having a thankless child is sharper than a serpent's tooth."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for thankless

• Nearby Words

thankful
thankfully
thankfulness
thankless
thanklessly
thanklessness
thanks

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'þancolleas' or formed in Middle English from 'thank' and the privative suffix '-less'. Originally meaning 'ungrateful' when applied to people, its dominant modern sense describing an unappreciated task emerged in the 16th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thankless. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thankless
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