Definition of "unmerited"

She was tempted to leave him with his illusions. Something in her nature, however, caviled at this unmerited encomium.

1990, Elizabeth Thornton, The Worldly Widow, New York: Zebra, published 2005

Since then the bibliography on the central question it addressed—the relationship between nature and the absolutely unmerited destination of us to the face-to-face vision of God—has diminished considerably in volume.

1990 December, Joseph A. Komonchak, “Theology and Culture at Mid-Century: The Example of Henri de Lubac”, in Theological Studies, volume 51, number 4, pages 580–1

Insurance company actuaries view the discounts as unmerited and unfair to other policyholders. Criminologists say there are better and quieter ways to protect cars. Economists argue that the alarms' benefits, if any, are far outweighed by their social costs. Vigilantes have made their point by attacking noisy cars with eggs and baseball bats.

1991 February 19, John Tierney, “Laws Encourage Car Alarms, But Din May Not Be Worth It”, in The New York Times‎