"Unearned increment" is a term that refers to the increase in value of a property or asset that is not a result of any effort or investment by the owner. There are several synonyms for this term, including "unearned appreciation," "unearned profit," "windfall," and "unmerited gain." Each of these terms describes the same concept of a sudden increase in value without any effort on the part of the owner. They are often used in discussions of real estate and property values, but can also be applied to stocks and other financial assets. Regardless of the specific context, these synonyms all refer to a type of gain that is considered undeserved or unfair by many people.