unmerited

adjective

Definition of unmeritednext
as in undeserved

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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 unmerited There’s barely a line of dialogue from any secondary character that doesn’t sound ripped from Twitter — not unmerited, just fatiguing. — Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026 Amin had a penchant for strutting around in public wearing a military jacket full of flashy but unmerited awards. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026 Lest you be concerned, there's no unmerited nepotism here. — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Aimee Zavala, a twenty-nine-year-old who left the area around this time, believed that the police response was unmerited. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unmerited
  1. undeserved
  2. unfair
  3. undue
  4. unjust
  5. unjustified
  6. unwarranted
Adjective
  • At the same time, some states are also lavishing tax breaks on data centers that some say are both undeserved and ultimately, bad economics.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Pete Davidson is either the luckiest man in Hollywood or a guy cursed with an undeserved bad rap.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of undeserved
Adjective
  • Some also called for a reform of the university admissions system, seen by many as complex and unfair.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has imposed new tariffs on Brazilian goods this year, including a 25% levy on some products over what the US described as unfair trade practices.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Hurts’ blood clots continue to raise questions about whether the Super Bowl-winning quarterback was placed at undue risk by being allowed to play and who is responsible for making those decisions.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Human rights groups have long warned of the undue stress suspects in Japan are subject to during detention, ranging from aggressive questioning tactics to the lack of access to lawyers.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of undue
Adjective
  • And though some Palestinians were justly fighting to end the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and to create an independent state, others were waging an unjust war to destroy Israel altogether.
    — Jordi Graupera, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The fourth possibility is that Cold War II will end an unjust peace.
    — David Gibson, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unjust
Adjective
  • The story takes some unjustified and downright bizarre turns.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Martin was arrested and fired from the department after an Internal Affairs investigation found that his level of force during the shooting was unjustified.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unjustified
Adjective
  • Kirk's attorneys cited Utah law guaranteeing crime victims the right to a speedy disposition of charges without unwarranted delay.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of unwarranted

Browse Nearby Words

unmercifully
unmerited
unmindful
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Cite this Entry

“Unmerited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unmerited. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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