Unworthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unworthy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that does not deserve respect, attention, or a particular status. Example: "He felt unworthy of the award he received." Alternative expressions include "undeserving" and "unmeritorious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My passion is that no child leaves my school feeling unworthy.

The Guardian

She was, in many ways, an unworthy recipient of his concern.

The Guardian

Barber branded Cameron's "damp squib" jibe as "unworthy and condescending".

The Guardian

"I said that they would have problems getting a fund going to recover money because we are regarded as unworthy individuals – it's not like a natural disaster where they've lost the roof over their heads and they haven't got any money to buy food.

The Guardian

Villains unworthy of vilification can be found in everything from the Austin Powers comedies, where the insufficiently wicked plans of Dr Evil positively drip bathos, to Skyfall, where Javier Bardem essentially played a neglected son jealous of Bond's relationship with their surrogate mother, M. Children's films have been veering this way for a while.

The Guardian - Film

Most recently, on Valentine's Day, Minaj said on her new single Lookin Ass N*gga that she has no use for unworthy men.

The Guardian - Music

As Kingsley Amis put it: "The slightest and most banal coincidence or point of resemblance, or even just- perceptible absence of one, unworthy of a single grunt of interest, gets called 'ironical'ironical

The Guardian

Normally, though, literary stamp controversies tend to involve objections to who's chosen as worthy of the honour, and sometimes who's implicitly deemed unworthy.

The Guardian - Books

And it's actually unworthy of a person of Abbott's intrinsic good nature, and intelligence.

The Guardian

"I reject accusations that his policies and beliefs make him unworthy to lead America or opposed to its founding ideals.

The New York Times

Indeed, Carnegie even advocated that the state should impose death duties in "condemnation of the selfish millionaire's unworthy life".It is striking that wealthy Americans, including the most avowedly capitalistic, are usually far more active in philanthropy than their peers in Europe and Asia and not just because they get bigger tax breaks for charity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unworthy", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is not worthy of. For instance, "unworthy of praise" is more precise than simply "unworthy".

Common error

While "unworthy" is widely understood, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can sound overly dramatic or subjective. Consider more neutral alternatives like "inadequate" or "insufficient" for objective assessments.

Linguistic Context

The term "unworthy" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of deserved merit, value, or qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, reinforcing its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unworthy" is a versatile adjective used to express a lack of merit, value, or deservingness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its frequency suggests common usage, writers should be mindful of its potential for strong negative connotations, especially in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "inadequate" or "insufficient" when a more neutral tone is desired. Understanding these nuances ensures the effective and appropriate application of "unworthy" in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking merit

This alternative directly emphasizes the absence of positive qualities that would make something deserving.

undeserving

A straightforward synonym focusing on the lack of qualification to receive something.

not deserving

This alternative directly expresses the idea of not being worthy of something.

worthless

This emphasizes the lack of any positive value or usefulness.

lacking in value

A more descriptive alternative emphasizing the absence of positive monetary, moral, or aesthetic worth.

unfit

Implies a lack of suitability or qualification for a particular purpose or role.

inadequate

Highlights a deficiency or insufficiency in meeting a required standard.

not good enough

A simple and direct way to express a lack of sufficient quality.

subpar

Indicates something is below the expected or required level.

deficient

Focuses on the incompleteness or imperfection of something, making it unworthy.

FAQs

How can I use "unworthy" in a sentence?

You can use "unworthy" to describe someone or something that doesn't deserve a certain honor, status, or recognition. For example: "He felt unworthy of the award." or "The idea was deemed unworthy of consideration."

What words are similar in meaning to "unworthy"?

Synonyms for "unworthy" include "undeserving", "worthless", "inadequate", and "unfit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unworthy" or "not worthy"?

"Unworthy" and "not worthy" are generally interchangeable, but "unworthy" is more concise and often carries a slightly stronger negative connotation. The choice depends on the desired tone and rhythm of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "unworthy"?

"Unworthy" is appropriate when you want to express a strong judgment about the lack of merit, value, or suitability of someone or something. Be mindful of the emotional impact, as it can be a harsh word.