deserving

American  

[dih-zur-ving] / dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.

   the deserving poor;

   a deserving applicant.

2. meriting; worthy.

   a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

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deserving British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

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noun

1. rare a merit or demerit; desert

Other Word Forms

• deservingly adverb
• deservingness noun
• self-deserving adjective
• undeserving adjective
• undeservingly adverb
• undeservingness noun

Etymology

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing ²

Example Sentences

In a few places, we included a deserving player at a secondary position, if his primary position was fully stocked.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I hope his story can be remembered not because of its tragedy, but because it demanded a future where people deserving refuge are not thrown into peril.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

"But that's not to say that Ryan Coogler is not equally deserving."

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Also deserving of your time is Ignacio Gatica’s video about Sanhattan, the district in Santiago, Chile, that intentionally resembles Manhattan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

“Is that all, my dear Henry? How could you suppose that my first thought would not fly towards those dear, dear friends whom I love and who are so deserving of my love?”

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Related Words

• commendable