unmerited
Given without cause
Unmerited means not earned or deserved.
An unmerited promotion went to someone who hadn't proven themselves.
Unmerited criticism is unfair because the person did nothing wrong.
The word often appears in religious contexts, where grace is described as an unmerited gift from God.
Not rightfully gained
- unjustifiedLacking adequate reason
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- unfairUnjust or partial
- unjustNot fair or right
inequitable · disproportionate · wrongful · baseless · groundless · unfounded · arbitrary · unreasonable
Exclusive right or benefit
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
handout · patronage · bonus · perquisite · entitlement · preferment · cronyism · sinecure
Effortless beauty of motion
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- giftItem given freely
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
benevolence · generosity · charity · forgiveness · clemency · pardon · compassion · goodwill
unearned
Not rightfully gained
- unjustifiedLacking adequate reason
- unwarrantedWithout adequate justification
- unfairUnjust or partial
unjust · inequitable · disproportionate · wrongful · baseless · groundless · unfounded · arbitrary · unreasonable · gratuitous
privilege
Exclusive right or benefit
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
inheritance · handout · patronage · bonus · perquisite · entitlement · preferment · cronyism · sinecure · legacy
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
kindness · benevolence · generosity · charity · forgiveness · clemency · pardon · compassion · goodwill · beneficence
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- nonessentialunnecessary, unneeded, nonessential, inessential, dispensable
- hypehype, buzz, spin, hype train, overhyped
merit, merited, merits, demerit, meritorious, demerits, meritless, meritoriously