unearned
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈnɝnd// UK //ʌnˈɜːnd// un·earned
adj. describing something that you have or receive without working for it. It often has a negative feeling because it suggests you did not deserve it.
adj. describing something received or possessed without having been worked for or deserved. Often carries a pejorative connotation, implying a lack of merit or effort.
He felt guilty about his unearned success.
The athlete's unearned reputation for honesty was shattered when he was caught cheating during the final match.
Economists often debate the impact of unearned wealth on social mobility, arguing that inherited capital can create a permanent divide between those who must work for their fortune and those who do not.