Word
undeserving
Phoneticsun·de·serv·ing, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌəndɪˈzɝvɪŋ/
UK/ˌʌndɪzˈɜːvɪŋ/
Definition
adj. not good enough to get praise, help, or a reward. You use this when you think someone has not earned what they receive.
adj. lacking worthiness or merit for a benefit, reward, or favourable treatment. Often followed by 'of' plus a noun phrase naming the benefit.
Examples
“They feel undeserving of such kind praise today.”
“After missing most practices, he feels undeserving of a place on the starting team.”
“Despite years of quiet service, she remained convinced she was undeserving of public recognition, deflecting every compliment with self-effacing humour.”
Examples
simple
“They feel undeserving of such kind praise today.”
contextual
“After missing most practices, he feels undeserving of a place on the starting team.”
complex
“Despite years of quiet service, she remained convinced she was undeserving of public recognition, deflecting every compliment with self-effacing humour.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “undeserving” in context.
Verb
01. consider undeserving
“Many voters considered him undeserving of re-election.”
verb + adj
02. deem undeserving
“The committee deemed the claim undeserving of compensation.”
verb + adj
03. feel undeserving
“She felt undeserving of the scholarship and almost refused it.”
verb + adj
04. seem undeserving
“The candidate seemed undeserving of such strong support.”
verb + adj
05. undeserving of help
“They argued the company was undeserving of help from taxpayers.”
adj + prep + noun
06. undeserving of praise
“The report showed he was undeserving of praise for the results.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
07. largely undeserving
“Critics called the team largely undeserving of their victory.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. undeserving beneficiary
“The firm was an undeserving beneficiary of public funds.”
adj + noun
09. consider someone undeserving of help
“Many consider the bank undeserving of help from taxpayers.”
10. feel undeserving of praise
“She felt undeserving of praise because her team did most of the work.”
11. seem undeserving of sympathy
“After lying to the court, he seemed undeserving of sympathy.”
12. the deserving and undeserving poor
“The debate about the deserving and undeserving poor continues today.”
Usage
Typically followed by 'of' plus a noun phrase ('undeserving of praise').
Real-World Examples
“Asked about Degiorgio's comments, he told Reuters: "George Degiorgio's own words show he is a stone-cold killer undeserving of any reprieve.” Etymology
From un- + deserving.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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