Unearned: meaning, definitions and examples

Utilize this when the attention is on something received without effort, such as income or praise.

• He received unearned income from his investments
• The praise she got was unearned

Suitable for situations where someone receives something, usually praise or punishment, that is not justified.

• His punishment was undeserved
• She thinks the award was undeserved

Best applied in formal contexts to express that something was granted without merit or worth.

• The accolades were unmerited
• He experienced unmerited success in his career

Appropriate when describing actions or reactions that lack justification or reason, with a slightly negative tone.

• His anger was unwarranted
• The criticism was completely unwarranted

Use this word when referring to something received without having worked for it, typically involving money or benefits.

• The interest on his savings account is unearned income.
• She enjoyed unearned privileges because of her family connections.

This term fits situations where something is given or received without any merit or worthiness, often implying that it's beyond what one's actions or qualities justify.

• The praise he received was unmerited.
• Her unmerited success stirred a lot of jealousy among her peers.

This word should be used when describing something that is given or done without proper reason or justification. It often implies that the action or outcome is unnecessary or inappropriate.

• The police action was deemed unwarranted by the community.
• Her concerns were largely unwarranted given the situation.