What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undeserved
Example
She received undeserved praise for her mediocre performance. [undeserved: adjective]
Example
He was given an undeserved promotion due to his connections. [undeserved: adjective]
unmerited
Example
The athlete received unmerited attention from the media despite his poor performance. [unmerited: adjective]
Example
She was given unmerited privileges due to her family's wealth. [unmerited: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Undeserved is more commonly used than unmerited in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undeserved and unmerited?
Unmerited has a more formal and religious connotation, while undeserved is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
