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
ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hə-lē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
adverb
unworthiness
ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē-nəs How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
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
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.
Adjective
Ben chose to stay behind, feeling unworthy of doing so just yet. — Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026 In postseason play in all sports, millions are watching who have not watched all year and this is the unworthy picture of UConn women’s basketball and its coach they were given. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 Republican papers painted Cleveland as unworthy of the presidency. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026 Even bound by the rigid social confines of his period setting, Stappard understands that a modern horror movie cannot meaningfully interrogate historic oppression while forcing an underrepresented hero into an unworthy box. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 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

Rhymes for unworthy

See All Rhymes for unworthy

Browse Nearby Words

unworthiness
unworthy
unwoundable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworthy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unworthy

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

More from Merriam-Webster on unworthy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unworthy

Nglish: Translation of unworthy for Spanish Speakers

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