What is the opposite of “deserved”?

What is the antonym of “deserved”?

The antonyms of deserved are undeserved, unearned, and unmerited. These words convey the opposite meaning of something that is earned or deserved. They imply that something is not justified or warranted.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

undeserved

Not earned or deserved; not justified.

Example

He received an undeserved promotion because of his connections, not his skills.

unearned

Not obtained through effort, work, or merit; not deserved.

Example

She inherited a large sum of money from her uncle, which she felt was unearned and undeserved.

unmerited

Not deserved or warranted; not based on merit or worthiness.

Example

The company gave him a bonus that he felt was unmerited and unfair, as he had not contributed much to the team's success.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Undeserved implies that something is not justified or warranted, whereas unearned implies that something is not obtained through effort or merit.
• 2. Unearned and unmerited have similar meanings, but unmerited emphasizes that something is not based on merit or worthiness.

Good things to know

• 1. Express Disapproval: Use these antonyms to express disapproval of something that is not deserved or justified.
• 2. Discuss Ethics: Incorporate these words in discussions about ethics and fairness.
• 3. Analyze Literature: Analyze literature by identifying instances where characters receive something that is undeserved or unearned.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of deserved are undeserved, unearned, and unmerited. These words convey the opposite meaning of something that is earned or deserved. Use them to express disapproval, discuss ethics, and analyze literature.