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.
In 1998, Moore started an eponymous foundation to provide educational, cultural and recreational activities for undeserved youth. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025 It’s not always taken seriously enough, despite the fact that employees cite office gossip as their number one pet peeve more than pointless meetings, coworkers taking undeserved credit and micromanagement. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Also, the feeling of blind, random, even undeserved confidence. James Factora, Them., 28 Apr. 2025 And companies that use corruption to get undeserved business typically perform poorly, providing deficient products, infrastructure, and services that harm consumers. Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Undeserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undeserved. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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