thankless

[thangk-lis]

adjective

1. not likely to be appreciated or rewarded; unappreciated.

   a thankless job.

   Synonyms: profitless, unrewarding, vain, unacknowledged

2. not feeling or expressing gratitude or appreciation; ungrateful.

   a thankless child.

thankless

/ ˈθæŋklɪs /

adjective

1. receiving no thanks or appreciation

   a thankless job

2. ungrateful

   a thankless pupil

Other Word Forms

• thanklessly adverb
• thanklessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thankless¹

First recorded in 1530–40; thank + -less

Example Sentences

"The award isn't about certifying research but celebrating it - the fun side of science. Most research is a thankless job done out of passion, and this is also a way of popularising it."

From BBC

They are expected to handle thankless work, like managing a social calendar and his wardrobe, so that he can benefit from the networking opportunities that open up.

From Salon

Speaking after the resignation of Angela Rayner, the former Derby South MP said: "It's a lot of time, it's a lot of work, it's a lot of responsibility, and it's thankless."

From BBC

“We recognize that this charge is compounded by technological developments such as social media, which transcend the geographic boundaries of the school. It is a thankless task for which we are all indebted.”

From Salon

“I’m surprised by that amount of money, and it just goes to show that even though teaching is a thankless job, the students are craving and grateful for a role model.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fruitless 
• futile 
• unpleasant