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Thankless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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thankless

[ˈθaŋkləs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Not feeling or showing gratitude or thanks; ungrateful.

Synonyms

unappreciative, ungrateful, unthankful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
thankless

Used to describe a task or job that does not receive gratitude or appreciation, often implying it's hard or unrewarding.

  • She took on the thankless task of cleaning up after the event
ungrateful

Used to describe someone who not only lacks gratitude but may also show a negative attitude toward kindness or help received. This word carries a negative connotation.

  • The children were ungrateful, complaining about their gifts instead of saying thank you
unappreciative

Used when someone does not show gratitude or recognize the value of something they received. Typically applied to people's attitudes.

  • He was unappreciative of all the effort she put into organizing the party
unthankful

Similar to 'ungrateful', but might be considered slightly less strong. It is still used to describe a lack of gratitude and can carry a mild negative connotation.

  • He remained unthankful despite all the support he received during his difficult times

Examples of usage

  • He felt thankless for all the hard work his team had put in.
  • She was thankless towards her parents for all their sacrifices.
  • Despite their efforts, their boss remained thankless and never appreciated their work.
Context #2 | Adjective

task

Requiring a lot of effort or sacrifice but not resulting in gratitude or thanks.

Synonyms

unappreciated, unrecognized, unrewarding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
thankless

Used when describing a task or job that is difficult and unrewarding, often because people do not recognize or appreciate the effort involved. This term usually carries a negative connotation.

  • Being a referee is often a thankless job because no one appreciates your effort unless you make a mistake.
  • Cleaning up after an event can feel like a thankless task since most people don't notice the hard work.
unrewarding

Describes work or an activity that does not provide satisfaction, fulfillment, or financial benefit. This term also carries a negative connotation.

  • Many find customer service work to be unrewarding due to the low pay and high stress levels.
  • Spending hours in traffic can be an unrewarding experience with no clear benefits.
unappreciated

Describes a situation where someone's efforts, skills, or talents are not recognized or valued by others. This term may also have a negative connotation.

  • Volunteers often feel unappreciated despite their significant contributions to the community.
  • She felt her efforts at work went unappreciated by her colleagues.
unrecognized

Refers to a person or their efforts not being acknowledged or identified by others. This can happen in various contexts and usually implies a sense of being overlooked.

  • His contributions to the project remained unrecognized by the management team.
  • The artist's work went unrecognized until many years after their death.

Examples of usage

  • It was a thankless job, with long hours and little recognition.
  • Working as a janitor is often seen as a thankless task.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, expressing gratitude is seen as a key part of maintaining healthy relationships.
  • Certain professions are frequently described as thankless, such as social workers or caregivers, highlighting societal values about appreciation.
  • Literature often portrays thanklessness to evoke sympathy and highlight selflessness in characters.

Psychology

  • Experiencing thanklessness can lead to feelings of resentment or burnout among those in caring professions.
  • Studies show that expressing gratitude enhances psychological well-being, making thankless situations harder on individuals.
  • Understanding the emotional effects of thanklessness helps improve workplace environments and personal relationships.

Literature

  • Thankless themes appear in classic literature, emphasizing the often-overlooked contributions of marginalized characters.
  • Poets have used the concept to evoke emotion, illustrating the sting of unrecognized efforts.
  • Novels about service or sacrifice often highlight thanklessness to challenge readers' perspectives on appreciation.

Popular Media

  • Television shows often depict thankless jobs to create humor or drama, showcasing protagonist struggles.
  • Thanklessness is a recurring theme in movies focused on heroism and sacrifice, such as war epics.
  • In modern storytelling, characters in thankless jobs often undergo a journey of finding personal value despite lack of acknowledgment.

Origin of 'thankless'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'thankless' originated from combining 'thank' and the suffix '-less', which means without.
  • It has been in use since the late 16th century, reflecting social attitudes towards gratitude.
  • Previously, the term often described roles in service that were crucial yet overlooked.

The word 'thankless' originated from the combination of 'thanks' and the suffix '-less', which indicates the absence of something. It first appeared in the English language in the late 16th century. The concept of being thankless has been explored in various literary works and expressions, highlighting the importance of gratitude and appreciation in human interactions.

See also: thank, thankful, thankfully, thankfulness, thanksgiving, unthankful.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,880, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.