The word "thankless" means not receiving any gratitude, appreciation or recognition for something that one has done. It implies that despite putting in effort and time into a task, the person is not acknowledged or rewarded for their work.
Usage examples
Being a teacher is a thankless job as many students do not appreciate the effort put into their education.
Working long hours in a customer service role can feel thankless when faced with constant complaints and demands.
The sacrifices made by parents often go unnoticed, making parenting a somewhat thankless responsibility.
Many artists and writers struggle with a thankless career, as their work is often undervalued and underappreciated.
Volunteer work can be thankless at times, with little recognition or gratitude for the time and effort put into helping others.
Political leaders often face thankless tasks and decisions, as their actions may be criticized regardless of the outcomes.
In a corporate setting, lower-level employees may often feel their contributions are thankless, overshadowed by higher-level executives.
Mothers who choose to stay at home and take care of their families instead of pursuing a career often face a thankless existence, without recognition or appreciation for their work.
Those who work in the service industry often experience a thankless job, dealing with difficult customers and low pay.
Fine performances are included, young Asa Butterfield is commanding throughout but some, like Emily Mortimer, Ray Winstone and Christopher Lee, are wasted in thankless roles. (markedmovies.org)
For your community to run properly, enough of your neighbors will need to volunteer for the difficult and often thankless job of serving on the board. (rismedia.com)
Aside from making its stars unlikable for far too much of the film, The Internship also wastes the talents of John Goodman, Aasif Mandvi, and Will Ferrell in thankless roles. (scene-stealers.com)