unworthy

adjective

un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
1
a
: lacking in excellence or value : poor, worthless
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 adverb
unworthiness noun

Examples of unworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, the Queens native’s spot atop the list drew a mixed reaction online, with some fans expressing their agreement while raving about Nicki’s greatness, while others deemed her unworthy of such an honor. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Apr. 2025 To dole them out to the mid or altogether unworthy would mean to dilute everything that Michelin is supposed to represent, and then what are we left with? Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025 The plastic surgery industrial complex only serves to enforce the unrealistic beauty standard that makes the general masses feel like our bodies are unattractive or unworthy. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025 Big-league teams left the Town, searching for a bigger, shinier stadium that some oligarch decided is unworthy of the East Bay. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unworthy

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unworthy was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworthy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unworthy

adjective
un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
ˈən-
: lacking in excellence or worth : undeserving
unworthily adverb
unworthiness 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

More from Merriam-Webster on unworthy

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