undeserved

Everyday

Not deserved; not earned or fair, whether good or bad: an undeserved punishment, an undeserved prize. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics and fairness lessons: undeserved blame or punishment is unfair. In sport: an undeserved win. In stories: a hero gets undeserved praise or a villain undeserved luck. Phrases: «undeserved punishment», «undeserved reputation», «undeserved praise».

Examples

• The detention was undeserved – I wasn't even there. tree →
• They won, but it was an undeserved victory. tree →
• He got undeserved praise for work his sister did. tree →
• The dog has an undeserved reputation for biting. tree →
• She felt her bad mark was undeserved. tree →
• An undeserved telling-off can feel very unfair. tree →
• If, on the other hand, undeserved ill-luck followed him through life, and all his efforts resulted in failure, it was ascribed to her adverse influence. tree →

Note

Pronounced un-di-ZERVD. Opposite: «deserved». «Undeserving» is used for people (an undeserving winner). Christians speak of grace as God's undeserved kindness.