ill-deserved
Not fairly gained
Ill-deserved describes something received or experienced that wasn't earned or warranted, typically something positive given to someone who doesn't merit it.
His ill-deserved reputation as a genius crumbled under scrutiny.
The term can also apply to negative outcomes that seem unfair: an ill-deserved punishment.
It functions as the opposite of well-deserved, carrying a tone of injustice or impropriety about the match between what someone gets and what they actually merit.
Not fair or right
- wrongfulWithout legal right
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- framedEnclosed or blamed falsely
- scapegoatedMade to bear others' fault
conviction · sentence · harsh · disproportionate · excessive · unfair · victimized · railroaded
Unjust or partial
- unjustNot fair or right
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- unmeritedNot rightfully due
scapegoat · blame · reputation · vilified · maligned · smeared · mischaracterized · scathing
Not rightfully gained
- unmeritedNot rightfully due
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
windfall · inheritance · promotion · accolade · award · recognition · credit · praise
unjust
Not fair or right
scapegoated · conviction · sentence · harsh · disproportionate · excessive · unfair · victimized · railroaded · persecuted
unfair
Unjust or partial
- unjustNot fair or right
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
unmerited · scapegoat · blame · reputation · vilified · maligned · smeared · mischaracterized · scathing · backlash
unearned
Not rightfully gained
- unmeritedNot rightfully due
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
privilege · windfall · inheritance · promotion · accolade · award · recognition · credit · praise · honor
unearned
Not rightfully gained
mythologized · legendary · revered · celebrated · famous · notorious · stigma · tarnished · sullied · ruined
deserve, deserved, deserving, undeserved, deserves, undeserving, deservedly, undeservedly, well-deserved