unworthy

adjective

un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē 

1

a

: lacking in excellence or value : poor, worthless

b

: base, dishonorable

2

: not meritorious : undeserving

unworthy of attention

3

: not deserved : unmerited

unworthy treatment

4

: inappropriate to one's condition or station

actions unworthy of a gentleman

unworthily

ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hə-lē 

adverb

unworthiness

ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē-nəs 

noun

Examples of unworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the Sagittarius moon, no chore is too mundane to be unworthy of your enthusiasm. —Usa Today, USA Today, 13 May 2025

Which makes this encampment right-wing swing all the more obviously political, and unworthy of our policy. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

Two Florida congressional races once considered unworthy of national attention are turning heads as Democrats pour millions of dollars into the contests in hopes of establishing purple footholds in the Sunshine State for the first time in years. —Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Mar. 2025

The man who took supersoldier serum but proved unworthy of Captain America's shield now operates as a hit-man of sorts and will appear in this summer's Thunderbolts*. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for unworthy

• blameworthy
• newsworthy
• noteworthy
• praiseworthy
• trustworthy
• creditworthy
• untrustworthy
• worthy

Kids Definition

unworthy

adjective

un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē 

ˈən-

: lacking in excellence or worth : undeserving

unworthily

-t͟hə-lē 

adverb

unworthiness

-t͟hē-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

unworthy

adjective

un·​wor·​thy

: not meritorious

specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : being or relating to an heir who is deprived of the right to inherit from a person because of a failure in a duty towards the person

unworthiness noun