deserving
Americanadjective
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qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.
the deserving poor;
a deserving applicant.
-
meriting; worthy.
a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deserving
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So I got her frustration, but in the end, a deserving champ prevailed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Norris was followed across the line by Verstappen and Antonelli, both of whom drove fine races themselves, the three podium finishers fully deserving their results.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
That’s a common enough type, deserving of empathy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
That still leaves five candidates deserving closer study.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
To Casteen, these are steps to remove what he describes as “artificial barriers” to a college education placed in the way of otherwise deserving students.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
