undeserved

adjective

un·​de·​served ˌən-di-ˈzərvd How to pronounce undeserved (audio)
: not earned or deserved : not justified or merited
undeserved criticism/praise
an undeserved reputation
undeservedly adverb
a plan that has been undeservedly criticized
undeservedness noun

Examples of undeserved in a Sentence

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.
But that can breed undeserved complacency, according to independent testing. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2024 My goal has always been to better care for the vulnerable and undeserved community that raised me. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2024 Former attorney general Eric Holder, a leading member of the team behind that failure, took a break from picking Harris’s running mate last week to take an undeserved victory lap in the media. The Editors, National Review, 5 Aug. 2024 And what would really blow their un-American minds is that, despite America’s not undeserved reputation for rampant materialism, none of this is about money. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for undeserved 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undeserved was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near undeserved

Cite this Entry

“Undeserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undeserved. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on undeserved

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!