undeserved

adjective

un·​de·​served ˌən-di-ˈzərvd 

: not earned or deserved : not justified or merited

undeserved criticism/praise

an undeserved reputation

undeservedly

ˌən-di-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

-ˈzərvd-lē

adverb

a plan that has been undeservedly criticized

undeservedness

ˌən-di-ˈzər-vəd-nəs 

-ˈzərvd-nəs

noun

Examples of undeserved in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For their part, private law firms told the Tribune their work is critical in defending the strained city budget against people who may be seeking an undeserved payout. —Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

In this plane of existence, though, these reports of abuse will at least put an end to his much undeserved deification by Mexican-American and other activists. —Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Shell fired back on Monday, accusing Cipriani of defamation and extortion and of seeking to exploit their fleeting association to extract an undeserved payday. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026

Saxon later fabricated a story about an injury and unpaid wages for an undeserved payday, the lawyer claimed. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for undeserved

• conserved
• decurved
• deserved
• incurved
• observed
• preserved
• recurved
• reserved
• subserved
• unnerved
• unserved
• curved