thanked; thanking; thanks
Synonyms of thanknext

transitive verb

1
: to express gratitude to
thanked her for the present
—used in the phrase thank you usually without a subject to politely express gratitude
Thank you for your consideration.
or sometimes to emphasize a preceding statement especially by implying that it is not subject to question
likes her job just fine, thank you
—used in such phrases as thank God, thank goodness usually without a subject to express gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's pleasure or satisfaction in something
2
: to hold responsible
had only himself to thank for his loss
thanker noun

Examples of thank in a Sentence

I want to thank everyone who helped today. There's no need to thank me. Anyone would have done the same.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jane thanked the man profusely, but Maurice hung back through the whole exchange. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 Many voters thank him ​for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals. — Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026 This summer, the Chans threw a Gala for Hope to thank supporters and raise money for the Giving Kitchen. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 At the rally, Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for Georgia governor, thanked Trump for the plans. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thank

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thancian; akin to Old English thanc gratitude — more at thanks entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thank was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: to express gratitude to
thanked her for the present
2
: to hold responsible
had only myself to thank for my loss

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