unmeritingadj.n.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈmɛrᵻtɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌənˈmɛrədɪŋ/ That does not merit something; undeserving. Also as n.: (with the and plural agreement) unmeriting people as a class; the undeserving.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > [adjective] > undeserving > of insufficient merit
unworthc893
unworthya1240
undignec1315
unthrivingc1325
unmeriting1594
meritless1596
unmeritable1597
unmeritorious1599
immeritorious1642
immeritous1645
1594 Zepheria xix. sig. D2 No no Zepheria, fame is too rich a prize My all vnmeriting lines for to attend on.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. i. 43 A brace of vnmeriting, proud, violent, testie Magistrates. View more context for this quotation
1680 T. Gouge God's Call to Eng. 99 The confusion and ruine of such innocent unmeriting a People as we.
1730 R. Forman Protesilaus Ep. Ded. p. v Your Justice and Impartiality, in advancing worthy qualified Men to publick Employments, instead of your own unmeriting Relations.
1795 H. Summersett Fate of Sedley I. 135 Why should we conceal our affections, when they are not improperly placed upon the unmeriting?
1828 E. B. Pusey Hist. Enq. Rationalist Char. I. 83 To charge heresy upon unmeriting and orthodox men.
1871 Mich. Teacher Sept. 342 We return the wrongs received in our own childhood on the unmeriting heads of the succeeding generation.
1965 H. C. Mansfield Statesmanship & Party Govt. iv. 72 Unmeriting men began to keep and to obtain kingly rank because of mere proximity in blood to the last king.
1992 Guardian (Nexis) 3 July 5 Andrew Neil's dislike of the unmeriting British establishment is legendary. But he will tell you very plainly that he is no republican.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1594