Pronunciation: [ˌʌndɪzˈɜːvd] (IPA) 
Undeserved is spelled with the suffix -ed added to the word undeserve. The base word, deserve, is pronounced /dɪˈzɜrv/, with the stress on the second syllable. The prefix un- means "not," so undeserve means "not deserving." When adding the suffix -ed to the end of the word, the final -e is dropped, yielding the correct spelling of undeserved. The IPA transcription for undeserved is /ˌʌndɪˈzɜrvd/.
Undeserved is an adjective that describes something that is received or given without merit or justification. It refers to a situation where someone obtains or experiences something that they have not earned or do not deserve based on their actions, qualifications, or worthiness.
When applied to individuals, undeserved often refers to unearned praise, recognition, or rewards, such as praise and accolades received for work that was subpar or below expectations. It can also pertain to unmerited sympathy or compassion given to someone who has not suffered or faced challenges that warrant such response.
Undeserved can also be used to describe undeserved punishment or criticism. It implies that the treatment someone is receiving is excessive or inappropriate given their actions or the circumstances of a situation.
In broader contexts, undeserved can refer to the distribution of resources or benefits within society. For example, it may highlight disparities in wealth, opportunities, or privileges where some individuals or groups receive advantages and advantages that they have not earned or do not deserve, while others are deprived of these opportunities even though they may be deserving.
In summary, undeserved refers to something that is obtained or given without merit, justification, or deservingness. It can be applied to situations involving individuals, such as unearned praise or misguided sympathy, as well as broader systemic inequalities where certain individuals or groups receive unmerited advantages over others.
Not merited.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word undeserved traces back to the Old French word deservir, which means to deserve or to merit. Deservir comes from the Latin word deservire, which combines de (meaning thoroughly or completely) and servire (meaning to serve or to be of service). Over time, the negating prefix un- was added to deserved, giving us the modern word undeserved, meaning not deserved or not merited.
