UNDESERVING Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

undeserving

adjective

Definition of undeserving

as in worthless

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of undeserving Each of Cicellis’s young protagonists arrives at the grim realization that their life is circumscribed not by a god but by the pull of obligation to an undeserving parent or mentor. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026 After demanding Posey show some respect, Browning-Grice spoke about her daughter’s infectious laugh and her dedication to showing compassion to even those who seemed undeserving of it. — Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2025 Susan Branje, the head of the department of education and pedagogy at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, found that favorite children might feel guilty or undeserving when the favoritism is so obvious. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 This may be particularly effective if prosecutors also use their discretion to decline more undeserving cases up front, treating the use of taxpayer dollars on prosecution as something that requires deliberate justification rather than something that happens by default. — Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for undeserving

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undeserving

Adjective

Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.

— Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Bitcoin is either digital gold or worthless.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

And with nary a golfer from the upstart tour within eight strokes of Round 2 leader Wyndham Clark at 7 under par, LIV’s no-good, very bad 2026 continued Friday.

— Matt Schubert, New York Times, 20 June 2026
With Ethan Hawke's newbie simmering against the go-for-broke finesse of Denzel Washington's very bad, no-good officer, Training Day revels in tension, with washes of blue and green augmenting scenes where Hawke is bullied into getting high.

— Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

Definition of no-good

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undeserved

undeserving

undesigning

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“Undeserving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undeserving. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of undeserving

adjective

Example Sentences

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