unworthy

1 of 2

adjective

un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
Synonyms of unworthynext
1
a
: lacking in excellence or value : poor, worthless
b
: base, dishonorable
unworthy conduct
2
: not meritorious : undeserving
unworthy of attention
3
: not deserved : unmerited
unworthy treatment
4
: inappropriate to one's condition or station
actions unworthy of a gentleman
unworthily adverb
unworthiness noun

unworthiness

2 of 2

noun

un·​wor·​thi·​ness -t͟hēnə̇s How to pronounce unworthiness (audio)
-t͟hin-
: the quality or state of being unworthy

Examples of unworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
In casting a figure who could embody an industry, a medium, a bulwark against unworthy encroachers and invaders, Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow brought in Burrows as the most believable person possible. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026 Complaints that the host stadiums, places like Los Angeles Stadium, Boston Stadium or Seattle Stadium would somehow prove unworthy of hosting World Cup matches. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026 Instead of putting a new painting in the spot where James’s portrait had been, the Pentagon kept the space empty, leaving employees with the impression that, in spite of his many achievements, the new administration viewed the general as a symbol of unearned advancement, unworthy of recognition. Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Ben chose to stay behind, feeling unworthy of doing so just yet. Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unworthy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unworthines, from unworthy + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unworthy was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworthy. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

unworthy

adjective
un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
ˈən-
: lacking in excellence or worth : undeserving
unworthily adverb
unworthiness noun

Legal Definition

unworthy

adjective
un·​wor·​thy
: not meritorious
specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : being or relating to an heir who is deprived of the right to inherit from a person because of a failure in a duty towards the person
unworthiness noun

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