Definitions

unmerited

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gratuitous adj.
uncalled-for adj.
unearned adj.
unjust adj.
unjustifiable adj.
unworthy adj.

ADJECTIVE

gratuitous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baseless groundless needless superfluous unfounded unjustified unprovoked unwarranted wanton

WEAK

assumed bottomless causeless indefensible inessential reasonless supererogatory uncalled-for unessential unsupportable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

called-for grounded justified necessary needed proven warranted

WEAK

deserved

ADJECTIVE

uncalled-for

Synonyms

WEAK

gratuitous impertinent inappropriate indecorous unbecoming unnecessary unseemly

ADJECTIVE

unearned

Synonyms

WEAK

not deserved not earned not merited not warranted unwarranted

ADJECTIVE

unjust

Synonyms

STRONGEST

biased inequitable one-sided partisan prejudiced unfair unjustified wrong wrongful

WEAK

below the belt fixed influenced low-down partial shabby underhand undeserved unforgivable unrighteous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fair good honest impartial just unbiased unprejudiced

WEAK

equitable

ADJECTIVE

unjustifiable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baseless groundless indefensible inexcusable unconscionable unforgivable unfounded unjust unjustified

WEAK

foundationless uncalled-for ungrounded unpardonable wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

excusable justifiable justified proven reasonable

ADJECTIVE

unworthy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

inappropriate ineligible shameful undeserving unfit unsuitable

WEAK

base beneath blamable contemptible degrading disgraceful dishonorable disreputable good-for-nothing ignoble improper inexcusable no-account no-good not deserving not fit not good enough not worth nothing offensive out of place recreant reprehensible unbecoming unbefitting unseemly valueless vile wretched wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appropriate proper qualified suitable

WEAK

honorable useful valuable worthwhile worthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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unmerited

McGregor’s dad even suggests driving through a herd of small stegosauruses, insisting with unmerited optimism that they’ll simply move out of the way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Your criticisms of the Senate’s Clarity Act, however, are unmerited.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

"It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits," he added.

From BBC ● May 3, 2024

At the funeral of those little girls from Birmingham, King said that “history has proved over and over again that unmerited suffering is redemptive.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2023

And history has proven over and over again that unmerited suffering is redemptive.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

unmerited

Example Sentences

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Related Words