unworthy

[ uhn-wur-thee ]

adjective

, un·wor·thi·er, un·wor·thi·est.

1. not worthy; lacking worth or excellence.

   Antonyms: commendable, admirable, deserving

2. beneath the dignity (usually followed by of ):

   behavior unworthy of a king.

3. of a kind not worthy (often followed by of ).

   Synonyms: ignoble, unsuitable, unfit, unseemly

4. not of adequate merit or character.

   Synonyms: ignoble, unsuitable, unfit, unseemly

5. not commendable or creditable.
6. not deserving.

noun

, plural un·wor·thies.

1. an unworthy person.

unworthy

/ ʌnˈwɜːðɪ /

adjective

1. often foll by of not deserving or worthy
2. often foll by of beneath the level considered befitting (to)

   that remark is unworthy of you

3. lacking merit or value
4. (of treatment) not warranted or deserved

Derived Forms

• unˈworthiness, noun
• unˈworthily, adverb

Other Words From

• un·worthi·ly adverb
• un·worthi·ness noun
• self-un·worthi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unworthy¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; un- ¹, worthy

Example Sentences

But more often, they need to meet right-wing listeners where they are to provide the counterpoint, even if doing so “platforms” figures they deem unworthy of their attention.

From Slate

In a statement, Whitehouse accused the FBI of conducting an inquiry so lacking that it was “unworthy” of the Senate.

From Salon

For Trump and his followers, the American epidemic of loneliness is seen to be the result of unworthy interlopers who unjustly monopolize parental attention: DEI hires, affirmative action recipients, immigrants given asylum, etc.;

From Slate

He can shout that the Democrats are “Communists,” a claim so ludicrous as to be unworthy of comment, yet it sticks with those who never do anything more than knee-jerk react to a stimulus.

From Salon

Stars of Fox News paint a broad caricature of Vice President Kamala Harris and the party that wants to elect her president as weak and unworthy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inappropriate
• ineligible
• shameful
• undeserving
• unfit
• unsuitable