unearned
/ʌnˈɜːrnd/
adjective
- Not gained by work or effort; received without being deserved or worked for.
- Winning the lottery gave him a large amount of unearned income.
- The inheritance was an unearned windfall that changed their lives overnight.
- She felt guilty about the unearned praise, knowing she hadn't done the work.
- Not justified or merited; undeserved.
- The team received unearned penalties that cost them the game.
- She gave him an unearned compliment just to be polite.
- His unearned criticism of her project hurt her feelings deeply.
Synonyms