unmerited

/'ʌn'meritid/

Thân thiện

The student felt the criticism was unmerited after her hard work.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not deserved or earned: Describes something (such as praise, criticism, reward, or punishment) that is given or received without proper justification or without having been earned through one's actions or qualities.
   • Not merited: Lacking a valid claim or right; given or received without merit.

Usage

The adjective "unmerited" is used to qualify nouns, typically abstract ones, indicating that the thing described was not justified by the recipient's actions or character. It often carries a negative or critical connotation, suggesting an imbalance or injustice.

Examples

• The rookie player received unmerited criticism from the press after a single mistake.
• She felt guilty about the unmerited praise she received for a project completed mostly by her team.
• His sudden promotion was seen by many as unmerited favoritism.
• An unmerited advantage can sometimes create resentment among peers.

Advanced Usage

• "unmerited suffering": Suffering that is inflicted on someone who does not deserve it.
  • The novel explores the theme of unmerited suffering in times of war.
• "unmerited grace": (Often in theological contexts) Kindness or blessing given freely by God, not because of human merit.
  • The doctrine teaches salvation as an act of unmerited grace.

Variants and Related Words

• Unmeritedly (adverb): In an unmerited manner.
  • He was unmeritedly blamed for the failure of the deal.
• Merit (noun/verb): The quality of being particularly good or worthy, or to deserve something. ("Unmerited" is the direct negative form of the concept of "merit".)

Synonyms

• Undeserved: Not warranted, earned, or justified.
• Unearned: Not gained by work, service, or skill.
• Unwarranted: Not justified or authorized.

Antonyms

• Deserved: Rightfully earned because of one's behavior or qualities.
• Merited: Deserved or earned.
• Warranted: Justified or authorized.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not merited
   • unmerited treatment of a potentially fine subject
2. not merited or deserved
   • received an unmerited honorary degree