What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undeservedly
Example
She received the award undeservedly since she did not contribute much to the project. [undeservedly: adverb]
Example
He was undeservedly praised for his mediocre performance. [undeservedly: adverb]
unjustly
Example
He was unjustly accused of stealing the money. [unjustly: adverb]
Example
She was unjustly fired from her job due to her race. [unjustly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unjustly is more commonly used than undeservedly in everyday language. Unjustly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts related to unfair treatment, while undeservedly is less common and typically used in specific contexts related to praise, recognition, or reward.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undeservedly and unjustly?
Both undeservedly and unjustly are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, unjustly may be more commonly used in legal or political contexts due to its association with injustice or violation of rights.