unworthy

American  

[uhn-wur-thee] / ʌnˈwɜr ði /

adjective

unworthier, unworthiest

1. not worthy; lacking worth or excellence.

   Antonyms:

   commendable, admirable, deserving

2. beneath the dignity (usually followed byof ).

   behavior unworthy of a king.

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

   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.

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noun

plural

unworthies

1. an unworthy person.

unworthy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• self-unworthiness noun
• unworthily adverb
• unworthiness noun

Etymology

Origin of unworthy

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

Example Sentences

The CHP deemed the creative handiwork unworthy and cited the driver with a fine of $197 for driving without a proper license plates.

From Los Angeles Times

Because scientific advances don’t discriminate between the “worthy” and those considered unworthy, and because some in the billionaire class think they deserve to live much longer than you do.

From Salon

"I sabotage myself by not asking for help with anything. Asking for equipment, advice or resources feels terrifying. Like I'm unworthy."

From BBC

Men who don’t understand Los Angeles will never understand me, and for that, they’re unworthy of my deftness at loving.

From Los Angeles Times

During this meeting, he described himself as an unworthy choice for Pope, and vowed to continue the "precious legacy" of his predecessor.

From BBC

Related Words

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