unmerited

adjective

: not adequately earned or deserved : not merited
an unmerited award
unmerited insults
unmerited criticism/praise

Examples of unmerited 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.
Now, half a century ago, Congress realized that Social Security benefit windfalls for public sector employees were costly, unnecessary and unmerited. Andrew Biggs, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Some have claimed that the cuts are unmerited, given that culture funding accounts for just over 2 percent of Berlin city budget. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unmerited was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unmerited.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unmerited. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unmerited

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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