ill deserved

USAGE SUMMARY

'ill deserved' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something which has been received but is not appropriate or deserved for the effort expended in achieving it. For example, "He got an ill deserved promotion after spending only a few weeks on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His reputation is ill deserved - there's nothing intimidating about him.

Independent

Mr. Vahanian, though, distanced himself from the group and its Nietzschean aura, however ill deserved.

The New York Times

He said its leftwing author Jim Allen, now gravely ill, deserved a chance of a proper production.

The Guardian

She is marvelous, imbuing Eunice (who is drawn from an actual historical figure) with a kindness, competence and humility that make her fall from grace agonizing and ill deserved.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To do so now would look like a reward for Mr Mugabe that he ill deserves.

The Economist

C9 Business Digest C1 World Business W1 DINING F1-14 EDITORIAL A26-27 Editorials: Congress limps toward home; opening the ports; New York's mentally ill deserve better; ode to a worm.

The New York Times

But he also says that liberty is not to be confused with 'license', and that "that ill deserves the name of confinement which hedges us in only from bogs and precipices" (Second Treatise, parags. 6 and 57).

SEP

In a statement, Marion Gross, senior vice-president of North America supply chain, said that McDonald's "believes that any animals that become ill deserve appropriate veterinary care and our suppliers will continue to treat poultry with prescribed antibiotics".

BBC

They call opponents crazy, ridiculous, or childish, because they think we do not need to respect or give reasons to people who are mentally ill, deserve ridicule, or have no more intelligence than a child.

Forbes

I am proud of my record in insisting that the mentally ill deserve guns as much as anyone else does.

Huffington Post

Let us never forget that they deserve the same freedom to worship afforded to Americans of all faiths -- and that those who truly wish us ill deserve the wrath of American justice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill deserved" to emphasize that something was received without merit or justification. It adds a layer of disapproval or criticism to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "ill deserved" when you simply mean 'unlucky' or 'unfortunate'. The phrase specifically implies a lack of deserving something, not just experiencing misfortune.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill deserved" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something was not earned or merited. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where something received is deemed inappropriate or unfair.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill deserved" is a phrase used to express disapproval of something received without merit, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective phrase and is found in neutral contexts, primarily in news and media. While less frequent, understanding its connotation is crucial to avoid misapplication. Alternative phrases like "undeserved" or "unjustified" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeserved

This is a direct synonym, implying that something was not earned or merited.

unjustified

Emphasizes the lack of a fair or legitimate basis.

unmerited

Focuses on the lack of deserving quality or worth.

unwarranted

Highlights the absence of a valid reason or authorization.

unearned

Stresses that something was received without effort or justification.

inappropriately granted

Specifies that the reception was not suitable or fitting for the situation.

unduly given

Points out that something was provided excessively or unfairly.

not justified

States directly that there is no valid basis for the action or result.

without cause

Highlights the lack of a legitimate reason or motive.

unjustly acquired

Focuses on the unfair or inequitable manner in which something was obtained.

FAQs

How to use "ill deserved" in a sentence?

You can use "ill deserved" to describe something that someone receives that they did not earn or merit, such as "The team's victory was "ill deserved" due to the referee's biased calls."

What can I say instead of "ill deserved"?

Alternatives include "undeserved", "unjustified", or "unmerited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ill deserved" or "undeserved"?

"Ill deserved" and "undeserved" are very similar in meaning. "Ill deserved" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of disapproval, but both are acceptable.

What's the difference between "ill deserved" and "poorly deserved"?

"Ill deserved" implies that something was absolutely not merited, while "poorly deserved" suggests that something was only marginally or partially merited.